Historical information

Coat worn by Sister Danson (VFX151507) during the British presence in Japan following the end of the Second World War. About 16,000 Australians served in the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces, including 130 from the Australian General Hospital with whom Sister Danson presumably served. Sister Danson was born in Numurkah and served as Leiutentant with the Heidelberg Military Hospital before embarking for Japan in 1947.

Significance

This coat is part of a complete uniform set held by the Shepparton RSL. The uniform has representative and historic significance as an example of the style of uniform worn by nursing staff of the Australian General Hospital during the 1940s and into the 1950s. The uniform set has social significance to the Shepparton area, being owned and worn by a serving community member who was born in Numurkah, enlisted in Shepparton and returned to the community in later life.

Physical description

Shin length grey woollen double breasted coat fastened with three buttons on front centre. Interior bakelite or plastic button fastens panels on interior. Two hip-height pockets with folded flap on exterior. Grey fabric belt fastened with a metal buckle; belt is held in place with two fabric loops on either side of the waist. "AUSTRALIA" shoulder flashes on both left and right shoulders; on left arm a blue and brown rectangular colour patch and on the right arm, a blue square patch with embroidered crown and the words "BRITISH COMMONWEALTH FORCES." Epaulettes on either shoulder carry two metal badges signifying a senior Sister and fastened with a metal button. A pin is missing from the base of the epaulette. Interior lined with purple-grey lining; pocket on interior left chest and manufacturer's label at base of neck underneath loop.

Inscriptions & markings

Shoulder flashes read "AUSTRALIA" and "BRITISH COMMONWEALTH FORCES". Label reads "TAILORS & HABIT/MAKERS/J. RAVENSDALE/& SON/NICHOLAS BLDG./SWANSTON ST MELBOURNE/SISTER DANSON". Buttons read "AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES"