RED CROSS NURSE (circa 1940)

[FALLSCHIRMJAGER]

Hello gents, I was just wandering through the bay and found this stunning 17x12 image of a Red Cross Nurse. It was advertised as a circa 1940's period print from Bela of Cairo, and I am hoping that it is indeed original. It looks ok to me and the Nurse is an absolute stunner in my opinion! I certainly felt it was worth a punt at £20 anyway, just needs a nice frame. Leon.

[MAP]

That is a fantastic photo

[lew07]

Classy looking lady.She has a film star look about Her

[FALLSCHIRMJAGER]

Classy looking lady.She has a film star look about Her

That's what I thought, although I hope she really was a nurse and not a model as she would have brightened up the day of any wounded servicemen. I just hope that none of them shot themselves in the foot after they had recovered just to get back into the hospital! Leon.

[FALLSCHIRMJAGER]

Can anyone tell me what the armband she is wearing represents/ I can see the kings crown but that's about it. Leon.

[Jerry B]

Queen Alexandra's Royal army nursing corps badge?

[Jerry B]

The Australian army nursing service wore an arm badge and it might be one of them on an armband.

[FALLSCHIRMJAGER]

Hi Jerry, thanks for that, it may be an Australian badge although it is still a bit indistinct even when blown up. It does look a little like it may be a part of "Alexandra" at the top, but again I am not sure? Leon.

[FALLSCHIRMJAGER]

Jerry "ol boy", I think I have cracked it!! I think it is an armband for a Mobile VAD (voluntary aid detachment) Nurse. They were with the Red Cross during both WW1 and WW2, and as the name suggests, they went wherever they were needed. It took me a while to find another example but I found an article archived on the BBC history site with a picture of the armband( below). Leon.

[Jerry B]

Well done Leon, I think you have it. Here is my WWII VAD badge. The lower loop on the reverse is to hang bars for each year of service. The VAD badge was introduced in the 1930's.