AWM137 2/1 - Historical information and general development of the RAAF Nursing Service - Notes of History of the RAAF Nursing Service 1940-1944 - Part 12

Notes:- (a) Note to be issued to members in tropical or malarial areas.
(b) Not to be issued until further notice.
(c) Initial issue only.
(d) May be issued to members in the Darwin and New Guinea
areas.
(f) Items to be issued to members appointed prior to
3rd August, 1942 (i.e. members who have received the
£20 clothing allowance).
(k) To be accounted for on Service Kit card (Form E/A.84).
(l) Overalls and caps muslin will not be issued to members
employed on administrative duties. Such members shall
be issued with a second drab skirt.
6th August, 1943.

(MD.29/43)

WEARING OF MEDICAL BADGE - WINGED CADUCEUS

The first medical crest in the R.A.F. was the R.A.M.C. crest
surrounded by more foliage of sorts and a motto Nee Aspera Terrent.

The present neat badge, with winged caduceus, owes a good deal
of its beauty and compactness in design to the talent of a young girl,
the daughter of a senior medical Officer, R.A.F.
A.B.0. 180/42 Amended A.B. 0.E 21/6
Winged Caduceus on collar shirt and safaris, one at each side — Base
of badge 3/4" away from point of collar and equi-distant from edges
of collar. Staff of badge midway between edges of collar,
ARTICLES OF UNIFORM - HOW AND WHEN THEY ARE TO BE WORN
 

(x Knitted cardigan coats will not be worn in wards)
 

WAR SERVICE CHEVRONS
A.B.O. "A" 142 8/5/44
His majesty the King authorised the institution of chevrons for War
Service rendered since the 3rd day of September, 1939.
Description:

Of one pattern in red, on a blue back ground for wear with blue uniform,
 

and on a drab background for wear with drab or tropical uniform -
arms of chevrons 3/16" in width 3/4" in length.
Qualification;
One chevron for each completed year of service during the present
war, becoming eligible for the first chevron at the end of their
first completed year of service and to an additional chevron at
the end of each succeeding year of service.
Full time service during the war in any of His Majesty's Forces
by personnel who subsequently become members of the R.A.A.F. Will
also qualify for the issue of chevrons under this Order.
Such service need not be continuous.
Worn on right sleeve of summer and winter costume, safari jacket.
Not worn on greatcoat or shirt sleeve. R.A.A.F. N.S. Sumer drab
costume and safari jacket lower end of lowest chevron 6” from edge
of sleeve. winter costume lower end of lowest chevron 1" above
upper row of rank braid - All worn midway between inner and outer
seam of sleeve.
 

PAY AND ALLOWANCES 
R.A.A.F. NURSING SERVICE – RATES OF PAY AND ALLOWANCES
DAILY RATES OF ACTIVEPAY AND DEFERRED PAY
14 row x 22 column table - see original document
 

Column A shows rates of Active Pay when Deferred Pay is not credited
Columns B and C. show rates of Active Pay and Deferred Pay which are applicable (1) Upom
embarkation for service overseas or in territories of the Commonwealth outside the
mainland of Australia, and (a) After six months' service or from 7th December, 1941,
whichever is the later date.

x The ranks of Sister and Staff Masseuse, Group 2, were abolished as from 23rd March, 1943.
Members holding this rank were upgraded to Group 1 from that date.

ALLOWANCES
Exchange Allowance at the rate of 10% on the Active Pay applicable
prior to 6th November, 1941, is payable during periods of service
overseas.
Field Allowance at the rate of l/6 per day is payable in respect of
service in the territories of the Commonwealth outside the mainland
of Australia, as from 1st July, l943.
Living Out Allowance. Subsistence allowance of 2/5 per day or
Living Away from Home Allowance of 4/4 per day, were payable to
members for whom quarters were not available until 24th June, 1942.
From 25th June, l942 these rates were increased to 3/- and 4/6 per
day respectively. As from 7th December, 1942 the living away from
home allowance was increased for members with dependants as follows:
Principal Matron 7/- per day, Matron, Senior Sister and Sister 6/- per day
Uniform and Clothing Allowance. Prior to 5th August, l942 Uniform
Allowances were paid as follows:-
(a) If posted for duty outside Australia £40
(b) If posted for duty at Station Sick
Quarters or R.A.A.F. Hospitals in
Australia £20
(c) If posted for administrative duties
at R.A.A.F. Headquarters or an Area
Headquarters £13
Uniform maintenance allowance of £5 per annum was payable at
the end of each completed year of service. As from 5th August,
l942 a free issue of uniform clothing and equipment is made on
appointment. In addition a clothing allowance of £3 is payable
on appointment and £2 at the end of each completed year of service.
A.B.O. "N" 252/43 INCREASE IN PAY RATES Of CERTAIN MEMBERS OF
R.A.A.F. N.S. AND PROVISION OF DEFERRED PAY FOR ALL MEMBERS.
(161/1/1709 - 2.4.43)
1. In order to provide uniformity in the rates of pay applicable
to members of the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service as
compared with rates being paid to members of the Australian Army
Nursing Service, approval has been given for the following rates to
be applied in respect of the ranks shown hereunder from the dates
indicated:-

ø General in-crease of 4d. per day - vide A.B.O. N. 712/b2.
2. It will be noted that the rate of pay of Senior sister is to be
increased to l6/- per day with effect from 26.2.l943 only, that being
the date from which it was approved that such increased rate was to be
applied to members holding the rank of Senior Sister in the Nursing
Service of all three Defence Forces.
 

3. No increase in the rate of pay of Sister (Group 1) Staff Masseuse
(Group 1), Sister (Group 11) and Staff Masseuse (Group 11) has been
approved, as the rates of pay for these ranks have been and remain the
same as those applicable to corresponding ranks in the Nursing Services
of the Navy and the Army. -
4. Deferred Pay.
Approval has been given for deferred pay to be credited to all members
of the R.A.A.F. N.S. at rate for rank on and from -
(a) Date of embarkation for service overseas; or
(b) 7.l2.l941 in the case of members serving on and having
completed six months' continuous service prior to that
date; or
(c) Date following completion of 6 months’ continuous service
in respect of members who had not completed such service
on 7.l2.41
5. The approved rates of deferred pay according to rank are as indicated
hereunder:-
                                          PER DAY
                                                 s. d.
Matron in Chief                    4. -
Principal Matron                  3.6
Matron                                    3. 6
Senior Sister                           3. 6
Sister (Group 1) or               )
Staff Masseuse (Group 1)  )  2. 6
Sister (Group 11) or              )
Staff Masseuse (Group 11) ) 2. -
6. In respect of nurses of the rank of Senior Sister and above, the
crediting of deferred pay will result in a reduction in each member's
maximum drawing rate of pay by the amount of deferred pay less l/- per
day. In these cases the amount of l/- per day is thus provided by the
Commonwealth towards the deferred pay credit, the balance of which is
provided by the members by deduction from their active pay. The
necessary deductions from drawing rates of pay of these members will be
made as from 4th march, 1943, and deferred pay of l/- per day will be
credited to them from 7.l2.4l or from any later qualifying date until
3.3.l943 and at rate for rank thereafter.
7. In the case of members below the rank of Senior Sister the credit
of deferred pay will be in addition to active pay and drawing rate will
not, therefore, be affected.
8. In view of the adjustments to the drawing rate of active pay of
members of the rank of Senior Sister and above required in accordance
with paragraphs 1, 2 and 6 of this order, the pay accounts of members of
those ranks will be reviewed by the Area Finance Officer, Melbourne, who
will issue an appropriate advice in respect of each member. On receipt
of this advice necessary pay adjustments are to be effected by the
accountant officer.
Extract from A.B.O. N. I209/1941
N. 1209 INCREASES IN PAY AND DEPENDANTS' ALLOWANCE R.A.A.F.
MEMBERS 0F NURSING SERVICE AND W.A.A.A.F.
9. In respect of members of the R.A.A.F. Nurs1ng Service and of the
W.A.A.A.F., a daily pay increase of 8d. per day has been approved,
effective from November 6th, 194l.
l0. The standard allotment for members of the Nursing Service has
been increased by fourpence per day, i.e. from 5/- t0 5/4d- Per day
 

for Matron in Chief, Matron or Senior sister, and from 3/- to 3/4d.
per day for sister, staff Masseuse, Staff Nurse or Masseuse.
11. The revised scale of dependants’ allowances outlined in this
order is applicable also to dependants of members of the Nursing
Service and the provision regarding exchange allowance is also to be
adopted in respect of any such members proceeding overseas.
12. As the result of these increases, the drawing rate of members
without dependants will be increased by 8d. per day. Where there
are dependants, the members drawing rate will be increased by 4d.
per day and 4d. per day will be added to the allotment.
13. As with members of the R.A.A.F., care should be taken to ensure
that, in respect of all allotments commencing on and after November 6th,
l941, the new standard rate of allotment is allotted where dependants’
allowance is claimed.
14. No provision for dependants’ allowance exists in respect of members
of the W.A.A.A.F.  and the drawing rate of all these members will therefore
be increased by 8d. per day.
15. For information as to the rates of dependants’ allowance previously
applicable, attention is directed to A.B.0. N 724/41.
WAR CABINET MINUTE:
CANBERRA 30th October, 1941.
(1473) Agendum No.361/l941 - Pay of the Nursing Services and other
Women's Auxiliary Services.
Approval was given on following increases in the rates of pay of
the Nursing Services, V.A.D., W.A.A.A.F., W.R.A.N.S., A.W.A.S.
(a) Active pay rates of all ranks to be increased by 8d. per day
adults, 6d. per day minors with less than 12 months’ service.
(b) Increase to have effect from next allotment period after the date
of presentation of the Budget.
RATES OF PAY on establishment of R.A.A.F. Nursing Service were equivalent
to those governing the A.A.N.S., except that provision has been made for
"Senior Sister", a grade not included in army organisation.
The reason for the new grade was that, while the strength of certain
Sick Quarters would not justify the employment of a Matron, it was
considered that responsibility for the Sick Quarters should be vested
in one of the nurses employed therein who should hold an appointment
superior to her colleages - hence the introduction of the grade "Senior
Sister".
LIVING ALLOWANCE IN SPECIAL CASES 1940
As a general principle it was intended that Nurses should live at
or near their stations.
Allowances were the same as those paid to members of R.A.A.F.
enlisted for the duration of the War.
As a temporary measure (for example those on duty at No.1 E.S.
Showgrounds, Ascot Vale, Vic.) or under special circumstances (Sisters
posted to Evans Head) however it was found necessary for the Service
to arrange civil accommodation.
 

A sum not exceeding £2 per week, to be arranged by negotiation
for such accommodation, was approved to replace the living allowance.
UNIFORM ALLOWANCE 1940-42
It was not considered practicable to clothe the nurses from store
as in the case of officers generally, but the cost of a nurse's
equipment was comparable with that required for R.A.A.F. Officers.
It was recommended by Air Minister for Personnel (l940) that a
uniform allowance of £40 be granted to members of the R.A.A.F. Nursing
Service (as for A.I.F. members of the A.A.N.S.) on appointment. This
would not cover the cost of essential articles of uniform required.
Cap badges etc. (Standard Service issues) were to be obtained on
repayment.
The attached is a copy of the original list of requirements
issued to each selected applicant in l940.
AGENDUM NO.
3215/1941
AIR BOARD MINUTE
Date of Meeting: 2nd May, l941
Present: C.A.S., A.M.O.E., A.M.P., D.G.S.P., B.M., F.M.
For submission to the Minister.
The Board further considered the submission of the Air Member for
Personnel relating to an increase in the amount of uniform allowance for
members of the Nursing Service, and to the grant of an annual mount of
£5 as uniform maintenance allowance, to be issued under similar conditions
as the allowance prescribed for members of the Australian Army Nursing
Service.
The Board had before it further particulars prepared by the Air Member
for Personnel which set out the minimum requirements which it was
considered a member of the Nursing Service should be required to obtain
on appointment. The total estimated value of these items, which
consisted of out-door service dress, indoor service dress and other items
of personal clothing, amounted to £50.19.7d. The Board considers, therefore,
that the uniform allowance payable to members of the Nursing Service
on appointment should be £50, and that uniform maintenance allowance of
£5 per annum should be paid and issued under similar conditions as the a
allowance prescribed for members of the Australian Army Nursing Service.
C.A.S.    (1ntd.)  C.S.B
A.M.O.E.   "         R.W.
A.M.P.       "         H.N.W.
D.G.S.P.    "         W.S.J.
B.M.          "          C.V.K.
- SGD. F. J. Mulrooney
SECRETARY
AIR BOARD.
N.B. Actually this increase to £50 was not approved nor promulgated
but the £5 uniform maintenance allowance per annum was approved
and members received payment for each completed year of service prior
to the free issue of uniform and necessaries on 5.8.42.
 

UNIFORMS RAAF NURSING SERVICE.
In l940-41 on appointment to the RAAF N.S. each member was
furnished with a list of uniform and necessaries which the member
was required to provide. All uniform had to comply strictly to
specification, and certain firms in each State undertook the
manufacture to individual measurements. It is estimated that the
average cost of these requirements was approximately £70-0-0. The
member received toward the cost - £20-0-O if posted for duty at
Station Sick Quarters or RAAF Hospitals in Australia. £10-0-0 in
addition if posted for duty outside Australia. £13-O-0 if posted
for Administrative duties at RAAF H.Q. or an Area H,Q.
The list of requirements included:
1 Raincoat - dark blue with belt.
1 Greatcoat (tailored to measure) Air Force blue to specified pattern.
1 Uniform - Norfolk coat and skirt Air Force Blue whipcord or
barathea to specified pattern.
1 Shoulder Cape (blue velour) to specified pattern, tailored to
measure.
1 pr Shoes black, plain walking shoe, cuban heel, welted sole.
1 pr Shoes white, plain lace, cuban heel, welted sole.
2 Blouses each with 2 collars, white silk.
1 Cardigan Air Force blue, woollen.
2 prs Stockings - fawn shade as specified (these were Sutex royalty
Silk)
4 prs Stockings, white non-transparent.
1 Tie black.
2 Hats with officers braid and badge.
Badges for uniform, capes etc.
8 Uniforms indoor, white cotton made to measure to specified pattern.
[*VEILS*]
4 Caps white organdie (36" x 36") no badges.
Gloves black nappa or kid.
1 Tie Pin.
Bath and hand towels.
Later, Mess Dress, Air Force Blue silk made to measure to
specified pattern with detachable collar and cuffs and Cape was
added/ with this, shoes black court and silk stockings were worn.
In March l942 - when it became obvious that Sisters
serving in forward areas in their white uniforms, were clearly
visible from the air (and formed targets for enemy aircraft) all
white uniforms were dyed drab. This was done at public expense
those in forward areas using strong tea for the purpose.
With the introduction of WAAAF to the Service, it was
decided to standardize the footwear of the Women's Services, and a
committee was formed and a comfortable flat heeled lace shoe in
multiple fittings was designed. This removed the cause of much
fatigue and postural faultiness due to high heels and badly fitting
footwear.
As frat the 5th August, l942, a free issue of clothing
(uniform) and necessaries was made to each member on appointment,
plus an allowance of £3-0-0 to cover the cost of such articles of
clothing (pyjamas, dressing gown, corsets) as were not supplied.
This allowance was made annually.
The order of dress for members of the RAAF N.S. is
included in A.F.0. 26/A.
The scale of Issue in A.B.0. E16/21 - (amended)
TROPICAL - MALARIOUS AREAS.
On posting to malarious and potentially malarious areas
the Sisters were required to undergo the same prophylactic
medication as applied to male members of the Services.
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