nurse's uniform

Summary

Blue and white mixture cotton. 1) Bodice fronts each in one section fastening with seven white composition buttons and buttonholes to high round neck with narrow band; buttonhole each end of band, two buttons and buttonholes on waistband fastening to left of front; pocket each side of bodice front, the right one divided vertically into two; back in one section, long sleeves in two sections, outer forearm fastening five buttons and buttonholes; skirt front in four shaped sections, fastening to left with hook and eye, pocket on right; back in one section gathered to waistband; two tucks above hem; woven label at neck "HOSPITAL UNIFORMS / Arnold and Meehan / 185A KINGS X ROAD / LONDON W.C.1". 2) Apron. White cotton. Single width pleated to waistband extending to meet at CB; bib, pleated to waistband, side bound with band extending to form shoulder straps; sewn-in woven label "BETTY HERRING". 3) Cuffs. White cotton. Straight section, gathered with elastic at top and bottom edges; woven label "BETTY HERRING". 4) Cap. White cotton. Rectangular piece with hemstitched border; woven label "BETTY HERRING". 5) Collar. Stiffly starched white cotton. Curved band of double thickness, slightly tapering towards rounded ends, each with hole for stud; tab inside centre of top edge; stamped "FOUR FOLD / MADE IN ENGLAND" and "AMBULANCE 15 x 1 1/2"; inscribed "BETTY HERRING / WESTMINSTER UNIT". 6) Cuffs. Curved bands of double thickness, buttonhole each end; stamped "Lister Victoria / FOUR FOLD 8 1/2 x 3 1/2" inscribed "BETTY HERRING / WESTMINSTER UNIT" and "279". 7) Belt. Straight band double thickness, two buttonholes each end; stamped "No 264 30 x 2 1/4"; inscribed "BETTY HERRING / WESTMINSTER UNIT". Worn by donor when a probationer at the Westminster Hospital.