Shoulder strap worn by Margaret A Hardman, Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, 1916 (c)

Khaki cotton drill with red inset and khaki patch bearing the unit initials, 'WAAC'.

Women of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) were limited in the roles they could undertake during World War One (1914-1918). They were kept to traditional 'feminine' roles such as cooks, administrators, stores and cemetary gardeners. Different coloured insets in the shoulder strap indicated which department within the WAAC they worked in. Red, like this example, denoted the Household Section. The other colours were purple for the Mechanical and General section; brown for the Clerical section and claret for Motor Drivers.

From a collection of uniform items belonging to Margaret A Hardman, Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, 1916 (c).