This is our extremely accurate replication of the WWII British Red Cross and Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) Nurses Uniform which was one of the most recognizable symbols of civilian service during the war. Worn by women serving with the British Red Cross Society and the St. John Ambulance Brigade from 1939 to 1945, the uniform represented the dedication and compassion of thousands of volunteer nurses who worked in military hospitals, convalescent homes, and casualty clearing stations across Britain and overseas.
Our VAD uniform/British Red Crass uniform is as per the standard uniform which consists of a pale grey / blue-grey cotton drill dress with long sleeves, a detachable white collar, and button-front fastening to the waist. The dress was fitted with pleats for freedom of movement and a belt at the waist for a neat appearance. Over the dress, nurses wore a white cotton apron with a large red cross emblem on the chest, fastened at the back with ties or buttons. A detachable white veil or headscarf completed the ensemble, often secured with a Red Cross pin or badge.
Senior or hospital-based VADs sometimes wore darker blue-grey versions, while field and convalescent nurses used lightweight cotton drill for comfort. The uniform’s simple, practical design made it easy to wash, and its symbolic red cross was instantly identifiable under wartime conditions.
This full reproduction set captures every detail of the original issue, including fabric weight, shade, and finishing details for historical and display accuracy as well as reenacting.
