Historical information

In the collection of the Kew RSL (Cotham Road) there is a framed original certificate with information about Lillias Jerram. It includes the following information:
Miss Lillias May JERRAM
Commandant No. 323 Detachment, Victoria
[Citation] Loyal and able leadership and service during World War II
Service: Joined No.323 (Kew) Detachment in 1937. Commandant in 1944. Miss Jerram did voluntary duty in casualty and wards at St Vincent's Hospital regularly for 6 years. Also duty at the Eye and Ear Hospital and A.R.P. Duty. Helped No.323 Detachment to raise funds amounting to 400 pounds for St. John Theatre at 115th A.G.H., Heidelberg. Blood donor.
[Courtesy: John Torpey representing the Kew RSL]

Significance

Women's contribution-utions to the war effort both in 1924-18 and again in 1939-45 were significant. Voluntary Aid Detachments. The primary role of a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) member was that of nursing orderly in hospitals, carrying out menial but essential tasks - scrubbing floors, sweeping, dusting and cleaning bathrooms and other areas, dealing with bedpans, and washing patients. They were not employed in military hospitals, except as ward and pantry maids; rather, they worked in Red Cross convalescent and rest homes, canteens, and on troop trains.

Physical description

Small blue muslin tablecloth used at V.A.D. (Voluntray Aid Detatchment) meetings in Kew and embroidered with the names of notable members and office bearers. The date range provided in the embroidered names is 1918-1948.

Inscriptions & markings

Signed with initials of members and the dates of their participation in the V.A.D.