Melbourne, Vic. 1944-09-30 - 1944-10-04. Officers at the conference of Assistant and Deputy Assistant Controllers, Australian Army Medical Women's Service. Identified personnel are:- SFX27688 Captain M.M. Langsford; VF500148 Major A.R. Appleford, RRC, MM, SFX30364 Lieutenant-Colonel M.S. Douglas; NFX138446 Major J.M. Snelling; QF119238 Major M.C. Roche; VFX138505 Major R.M. Davidson; NFX76442 Captain L.W. Yates; WFX38344 Captain S.C. Perry; VFX117124 Major H.F. Meyer; TFX6117 Captain I.D. Cox.

41 loose typed mimeographed pages outlining the history, rates of pay, conditions of service for Australian Army Women's Services, (Australian Army Medical Corps, Australian Army Nursing Service and Australian Army Medical Women's Services).

Melbourne, Vic. 1944-09-30 - 1944-10-04. Officers at the conference of Assistant and Deputy Assistant Controllers, Australian Army Medical Women's Service. Identified personnel are:- NFX76442 Captain L.W. Yates; VFX138505 Major R M. Davidson; NFX138446 Major J.M. Snelling; SFX30364 Lieutenant-Colonel M.S. Douglas; VF500148 Major A. Appleford, RRC, MM; QF119238 Major M.C. Roche; SFX27688 Captain M.M. Langsford; VFX117124 Major H.F. Meyer; TFX6117 Captain I.D. Cox; WFX38344 Captain S.C. Perry.

Whereas more conventional war memorials may incorporate a cenotaph or a representative figure, Anne Ferguson has created a bare platform of coloured stones, divided in two by a curved trench that resembles an aerial view of a river, carving its way through a sparse, flat landscape. While most memorials encourage audiences to keep a reverential distance, to stand outside the experience of war and reflect upon it, Ferguson wants the viewer to walk right into the middle of the work, to experience a sense of empathy with the women it celebrates. The insignia of the women's services are displayed discreetly around the mosaic, because for Ferguson, ceremony is far less important than the human dimension. For many women, the work they undertook during the Second World War provided a first taste of freedom and responsibility. When the war ended and those jobs were given back to the men, it must have come as a bitter blow, because their lives and way of thinking had already been changed. It is this sense of metamorphosis that Ferguson has tried to capture in her stone mosaic, in which the variegated colours represent the different lives, the different backgrounds and experiences of servicewomen. Set in a peaceful grove between the deciduous trees, the sculpture changes the appearance in relation to the changes in daylight, the play of shadows, and the sprinkling of leaves that fall haphazardly onto the stone. Ferguson draws a parallel between the gradual process of awakening to the environment in which we live, and a growing recognition of the debt we owe to those men and women who gave their time, and their lives, in defence of this land. Her stone platform may be undemonstrative, but it has a feeling of underlying strength. It is a foundation upon which new recognitions can be built.
Granite mosaic 40.3 x 540 x 720 cm

Research material used by Mrs Herring in writing "They Wanted to be Nightingales" a history of the Australian Army Medical Women's Service during the 1939-1945 war (including BCOF). Includes letters from former members of voluntary aid detachments and Australian Army Medical Women's Service, photocopies from journals including "The Women's Weekly", notes, articles, draft chapters (items 2-8). Also draft and typed version of the manuscript (items 1A and 1B). The manuscript was commenced in W2 with additions in 1970's.

Jill Linton (born Oliver), Private Australian Army Medical Women's Service, interviewed by Angie Michaelis for the Keith Murdoch Sound Archives of Australia in the War of 1939-45. Discussing joining the Voluntary Aid Detachment; training; assignment to the 2/5th Australian General Hospital; change to AAMWS; nursing in New Guinea; contact with American servicemen in Papua New Guinea; nursing POWs; uniforms; working conditions; use of drugs for skin diseases; leisure.

Melbourne, Vic. 1942-09-28. The leaders of the Australian Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) VF500148 Major A. R. Appleford (nee Ross-King) RRC MM; Assistant Controller Australian Army Medical Womens Service (AAMWS) and Captain D. Townsend; Lieutenant M. Williamson give "eyes right" as they pass the saluting base during the servicewomen's march through the city streets.

Lila Stocks (born McKenzie), Voluntary Aid Detachment and Private Australian Army Medical Women's Service, interviewed by Angie Michaelis for the Keith Murdoch Sound Archive of Australia in the War of 1939-45. Discussing joining VAD; training at Ingleburn Camp; posting to 114 Australian General Hospital; posting to 2/5th Australian General Hospital; New Guinea; nursing POWs; contact with American servicemen; uniforms; nursing duties; hospital conditions; social life.

Melbourne, Vic. 1944-05-24. Her excellency, Lady Zara Gowrie, wife of the Governor General of Australia inspecting members of the Australian Army Medical Women's Service at the 115th Heidelberg Military Hospital, prior to her return to England. Identified personnel are, left to right:- VFX64621 Captain M.S. Williamson; VF500148 Major A.R. Appleford, RRC., MM.; VFX65349 Lieutenant D.M. Mackrell; Lady Gowrie; Private L.I. Trewin; Private M.C. Carroll; Private L. Wakefield; Private V. Boocock, back row; Private McNuff; Private Brain, Private R.M. Spencer; Private B.M. Baker, Private V.M. Phillips, Private H. Lindsay.

Lieutenant (Lt) Elva Baikie, Amenities Officer for the Army women's services (including the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS), Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) and Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS)). Lt Baikie encouraged the women to brighten up their barracks by supplying material for bedspreads, floor stain, rugs and paint, along with the motto `Make your barracks spell HOME'. Lt Baikie also organised a musical comedy and a revue in the Darwin area, with the girls who took part improvising their costumes. Lt Baikie also organised sporting matches and a Combined Services Swimming Carnival held in the Darwin Baths. (Donor E. Batt)

Melbourne, Vic. 1943-03-22. V81999 Captain W. J. J. McGee, assisted by VF500148 Major A. R. Appleford, member of the Red Cross, MM, Assistant Controller of the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS), Victorian Lines of Communication Area, examining kit and records of members of the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS) posted to operational areas.

Melbourne, Vic. 1943-03-22. V81999 Captain W. J. J. McGee, assisted by VF500148 Major A. R. Appleford, member of the Red Cross, MM; Assistant Controller of the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS), Victorian Land and Communication Area, examining kit and records of members of the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS) posted to operational areas.

Camp Pell, Vic. 1944-09-06. VF500148 Major A.R. Appleford, RRC, MM, Assistant Controller conducting a kit inspection of members of the Australian Army Medical Women's Service on draft for northern areas, assisted by Captain H.B. McKenzie, Staff Captain "Q" Victorian Lines of Communications area. Identified personnel are:- Corporal L. Lawson; Private N. Schreiber.

Camp Pell, Vic. 1944-09-06. VF500148 Major A.R. Appleford, RRC, MM, Assistant Controller, Australian Army Medical Women's Service inspecting the kits of members who are on draft to northern areas. Assisting Major Appleford is VF65581 Lieutenant S.F. Dammon officer in charge of the draft for the 2/9th Australian General Hospital.

Melbourne, Vic. 1944-10-05. VF500148 Major A.R. Appleford, RRC, MM, Assistant Controller, Australian Army Medical Women's Service, Victorian Lines of Communication Area.

Melbourne, Vic. 1944-10-06. VF500148 Major A.R. Appleford, RRC, MM, with Captain P. Williamson, Australian Army Medical Women's Service, after inspecting personnel participating in the second victory loan march through the city.