*British, Late 20th Century, Royal Army Medical Corps Women’s No.2 Service Dress Jacket, Lance Corporal*
An original British Army women’s No.2 Service Dress jacket to the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), retaining its chrome-finished RAMC buttons and rank insignia for Lance Corporal. The jacket is cut in the female service dress pattern with a fitted waist, false lower pocket flaps, shoulder straps, and open lapels, in the standard olive-brown barathea-style cloth associated with later British Army service dress. The buttons display the RAMC device of the Rod of Asclepius within a wreath beneath the Queen’s Crown, confirming issue under the Elizabeth II period. Both upper sleeves retain single white chevrons denoting Lance Corporal rank. The jacket also carries two bright red cuff bands to one sleeve only, almost certainly a later costume or theatre-use addition rather than a standard RAMC dress distinction, which ties in with the internal label from Miskin Theatre. Internally the jacket retains its maker’s label for Bernard Uniforms (Holdings) Ltd, marked as a woman’s No.2 Dress Army jacket, size 170/108/88, with NATO stock number 8410-99-978-7908, contract number SL33a/4275, Named to Lance Corporal Tindall and a later post service named theatre marking for Miskin Theatre.
Approx. Label Size – Height: 170 cm. Bust: 108 cm. Waist: 88 cm.
Historical Note:
The British Army No.2 Service Dress uniform has long been used as the standard smarter walking-out, parade, and non-combat dress, replacing older battle dress and service dress forms for many regular and reserve units. In RAMC use, these jackets formed part of the formal appearance of medical personnel serving in barracks, hospitals, ceremonial settings, and official duties. The RAMC, with origins going back to the nineteenth century, remains one of the Army’s most recognisable corps, its badge centred on the Staff of Asclepius as the long-established symbol of military medicine. This example is additionally interesting for its later life in theatrical costume use, as recorded by the Miskin Theatre label, giving it a secondary history beyond military service.
Women were formally integrated into the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1992 following the disbandment of the Women's Royal Army Corps, meaning this women’s pattern RAMC service dress jacket must date from 1992 or later.
*Condition*
Serviceable vintage condition overall. The cloth remains presentable with a good shape and clean overall appearance. RAMC buttons are present to the front and shoulder straps. White Lance Corporal chevrons remain fitted to both sleeves. The two red cuff bands are present to one sleeve only and appear to be non-standard later additions, likely connected to theatrical use. The interior satin-style lining shows creasing and wear from storage and use. The internal label remains present and legible. There may be minor loose threads, light handling wear, and small signs of age throughout. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
JAQAE##2965_1189235646
