Bronze Age Gold from Wales

Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) service dress jacket, dated 1943. Worn by Gwendoline Celia Lewis (1911-1986) as a Leading Aircraft Woman. She was born and lived most of her life in Aberdare. Before the Second World War she worked as a nanny for the children of Lady Mander of Wightwick Manor, near Wolverhampton. She was a member of the WAAF between 1942-5, and trained at St Athan and possibly in Wiltshire.

The jacket is made from a blue/grey woollen cloth (2:1 twill weave), with a cotton lining. Single breasted. Four brass button closure. Two breast pockets, closed with a brass button. Two side pockets with flaps (no buttons). Two embroidered military badges on each arm. Belt attached around waist with two pronged brass buckle.