Duty Calls

09/06/2026

Last weekend was the annual Southwick Revival. Held in the peaceful Hampshire village, the community makes a real effort for the event to go ahead. This is such a rarity when it comes to the few, remaining village events in the UK (hence my attendance from the North West, where events are sadly lacking).

Unfortunately Saturday was pretty much wiped out by the torrential downpours (as was the tent I was sleeping in!). Instead, we had a private tour of the D-Day Map room over in Southwick House. Southwick House served as the forward headquarters for SHAEF (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force) leading up to D-Day. For those who may not be aware, this historic map was used by Allied Commanders to coordinate Operation Overlord.

In the days before 6th June, the top Allied armed forces commanders met at Southwick House several times per day, to confirm the date for D-Day. Having stood in the very room in which Eisenhower gave the fateful "Go" order for the 6th June 1944, you really must see it for yourself.

Sunday was a much brighter and busier day! There were a number of lovely vehicles in attendance and some really interesting displays. It was also great to finally put some faces to names. Despite the typical British weather putting a pause to plans, it was great to see friends and experience this event properly, as a pose to straight off the Ferry from Normandy (as I did last year!)

Dug out some of the Army Nurse Corps kit. Something I have not portrayed for quite a while! I’ve done a couple of events now without bringing a display and as nice as it is to get to see what others put together and have a look around, I’m most looking forward to getting back to putting displays on again.

02/06/2026

You must be fit! Today’s post is all about the exercise suit

After a sort through of the collection ahead of summer events, we figured we’d start posting regularly again.

The WAC exercise suit consisted of a one-piece dress ending at knee-length with matching bloomers. The front was buttoned down and a belt too. Constructed of a lightweight brown and white seersucker cloth fabric and a minimal design. During a material shortage, the dress was also issued in a green and white seersucker material. The suit was worn during physical training, kitchen duty, and barrack fatigue duties to protect the service uniform.

The exercise suit could also be worn during free periods in the recreation rooms of the training centres. However, the exercise suit with its skirt just above the knee was inappropriate for appearance outside the WAAC/WAC area.

The exercise suit was worn with the WAC fatigue summer hat made of khaki cotton twill (not to be mistaken for a khaki daisy mae as they are different). The dress could also be worn with the WAC field shoes or the white tennis shoes/pumps with socks, though the issue of tennis shoes was stopped after a short time due to material shortage.

The request for appropriate women’s work attire (particularly trousers) was denied several times. The only concession was to issue one fatigue coverall to all women assigned to the field.

Original images are from my personal collection and are from the album of Cpl. Laura J. Berger A-304245. She was with the 20th Company, 1st Platoon during basic training, but later became an air WAC whilst overseas.

This dress was sewn by a lovely friend, Rebecca ☺️ With original seersucker uniforms being particularly fragile, a reproduction felt most appropriate for the exercise suit (given that it was intended for all kinds of movements, many of us daren’t risk an original).

01/06/2026

U.S.M.C.W.R

One of the examples of the work uniforms worn by the USMCWR.

The work jacket was made of the same material as the more commonly seen overalls. It was closed with 4 plastic buttons and had three front patch pockets. Noncommissioned officers stencilled their rank on the shirt and jacket sleeves.

Trousers as you may notice, had a rather differing design to the standard women’s HBT trousers issued to the other female branches of service. The USMCWR variation had pockets to the rear, rather than on the front.

The olive-drab cotton garrison cap or the ‘daisy mae’ fatigue hat was worn with the olive-drab, cotton work uniform.

Footwear - women marines wore different types of low heeled shoes with their fatigue uniform until field shoes for women became available. They were later issued field shoes similar to that of the women’s field shoes worn by the WAC & ANC.

16/05/2026

Images from Duxford VE flying day last weekend. I finally dug out the WAC off duty dress from my personal collection.

In May 1944 the War Department approved an off-duty dress for the WAC. It was issued to enlisted personnel. Officers were also able to purchase the dress, if they wished to.

The one-piece dress has a convertible collar, fly-front closing with slide fastener, shoulder loops, two tailored breast pockets and a detachable belt with self-material covered buckle. The summer off-duty dress was made of beige rayon shantung while the winter off-duty dress was made of horizon tan wool crepe.

Enlisted personnel wore the dress with enlisted collar insignia and the garrison cap with green-yellow braid. Commissioned personnel wore it with officer's insignia and female officers garrison cap with black-gold braid.

The winter dress was worn with the wool garrison cap (as you see above). WAC’s were also authorised to wear leather dress gloves and the dress scarf (under the coat only and not tucked into the neck of the dress) with the winter off-duty dress. With the weather being rather hot last weekend, I thought it best to leave the coat at home!

20/04/2026

30/03/2026

One of three images taken by Sgt George Aarons from the Anzio - Nettuno invasion area. Army Nurses (and I suspect an American Red Cross worker) pictured with a jeep, in their ‘GI clothing and combat helmets’. 2.8.1944

01/03/2026

14/02/2026

Army nurse unloading fuel cans from a C-47 Skytrain at Rheims during Allied operations in France, 1944.

27/01/2026

A quick re-share of some book recommendations.

27/01/2026

On this day in 1945, Auschwitz, the largest N**i concentration camp located in southwestern occupied Poland, was liberated. Each year, Holocaust Memorial Day in the UK honours the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust. 🕯️