Royal Canadian Air Force (W.D) Summer Service Uniform
Location: Canada
Year: 1953
Materials: Wool, cotton and brass
Maker: House of Hobberlin
Accreditation: Canadian War Museum, Ottawa (19770076-005, 19770076-006)
This RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) summer service dress jacket and skirt were worn by an unknown female Squadron Officer in the year 1953. The Women's Division (WD) of RCAF, was founded in 1941 and originally had the motto, "We Serve So that Men May Fly". Embarking on Cold War efforts, the division was absorbed into RCAF in 1951. During the 1940s and 50s, women in RCAF most often held duties not in the field but rather found roles as safety equipment technicians, photographers, meteorological observers, administrators, radio communicators, and typists. In 1956, 3,000 women were serving in RCAF, fewer compared to the 9,000 during 1942.
Physical Description:This olive coloured, two-piece summer service dress jacket and skirt uniform is made from a lightweight wool suiting fabric. The jacket interior is fully lined in a soft peach satin. The two outer pockets are purely decorative while the two interior pockets are functional, measuring 5 by 3 inches. On the cuffs are three woven service stripes in black and white. On the left side of the chest are five separate ribbons, denoting the wearer's achievements. There are two gold collar pins located on the jacket collar which feature a caduceus motif with wings and a crown, a symbol of the medical branch in RCAF. Sleeves are 24 ½ inches long, and the bust is 36” around. The skirt is made with the same material as the jacket while the peach lining only covers the backside. The skirt’s waistband measures 30 inches around and its length is 23 inches from waist to hem. This skirt has one seam pocket at the front measuring 3 by 3 inches deep. On the side is a seven-inch-long zipper with a hook and eye and a singular button.
66:37 from the 1956 documentary “Airwoman” .
This short documentary covers womans roles at RCAF during the mid 1950s.
References:
- W. Wood. Summer Service Dress Jacket. Artefact number 19770076-005. Canadian War Museum. Ottawa, ON. https://www.warmuseum.ca/collections/artifact/1054838
- Summer Service Dress Skirt. Artefact number 19770076-006. Canadian War Museum. Canadian War Museum. Ottawa, ON. https://www.warmuseum.ca/collections/artifact/1054850
- Air Women. Documentary. 17 min. Directed by Ian MacNiell. National Film Board of Canada. https://www.nfb.ca/film/airwomen/