Showing 1 to 8 of 8 search results

Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service Service Dress Hat

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar One, 77/U/815

The RAF Nursing Service adopted a distinctive four-cornered black felt hat in September 1918. It continues to be used as part of the Officer's Service Dress for the Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service.

Shallow crown black felt hat with decorative cloth band over peak and crown, eagle and palm leaf badge, © RAF Museum

Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service Shoulder Board

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar One, 77/U/133

There have been nurses serving with the RAF since June 1918 and between 1920 and 1939 it was the only role open to female applicants.

Blue cloth badge with two blue horizontal stripes at the bottom, © RAF Museum

Order of the British Empire, Dame Commander, Military, Star

Aircraft & Exhibits, In Storage, 71/D/935

The Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry awarded to individuals for outstanding contributions to public service. Dame Joanna Cruickshank received the Dame Commander class of the OBE in 1931.

Image pending

Medal Bar of 3

Aircraft & Exhibits, In Storage, 71/D/937

This is the medal bar of Dame Joanna Margaret Cruckshank DBE, the founder and first Matron-in-Chief of the Royal Air Force Nursing Service (later Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service).

Image pending

Order of the British Empire, Dame Commander, Military, Badge

Aircraft & Exhibits, In Storage, 71/D/934

The Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry awarded to individuals for outstanding contributions to public service. Dame Joanna Cruickshank received the Dame Commander class of the OBE in 1931.

Image pending

Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service Service Dress Hat

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar One, 68/U/634

In the 1950s, in tropical countries, the blue grey Service Dress and black hat of the Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service was replaced with an all-white uniform including a white felt hat.

White fabric shallow-domed hat with curled brim and crown, eagle and palm leaf badge at front, © RAF Museum

Service Dress Hat of Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service Other Ranks

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar One, X003-9406

Other Ranks were introduced to the Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service during 1956. Their Service Dress hat resembles the tricorn initially issued to the RAF Nursing Service in 1918 but is fashioned out of RAF blue grey material rather than the black felt of the older design.

Shallow-domed crown, blue fabric hat with brim curled up at sides and back, with plastic badge at front, © RAF Museum

Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service Tropical Helmet

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar One, 66/U/185

In the 1920s, the majority of the RAF Squadrons were deployed overseas. 1922 saw the first overseas posting by the RAF Nursing Service when ten Sisters, suitably equipped with tropical helmets, were posted to Baghdad.

Hard, cream-coloured fabric helmet with thick, wide brim, © RAF Museum