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Cadet uniforms

British Red Cross cadet uniform for girls consisted of a blue dress with white collar. White oversleeves were also used and the girls wore a white cap with a red cross on the brow. For boys, the uniform was navy blue shirt and trousers or shorts, an armband with red cross badge and a beret. Boys also carried a haversack with first aid supplies.

Wartime conditions led to a rise in clothing prices and made it difficult for young people to acquire the regulation uniform. In 1941 clothes rationing and the coupon system were introduced and it was then agreed that the regulations should be suspended. For working, overalls were recommended, or an apron with a large bib, with no emblem on the bib. Overalls cost from five to eight shillings plus four clothing coupons, and it was felt that this was the most that cadets should be asked to afford. Red Cross link members at school did not wear a special uniform. Any clean, tidy and practical clothing was suitable, such as school uniform or gym kit.

St John Ambulance boy cadets and nursing girl cadets wore grey, black and white uniforms. As was expected at that time, nursing cadets wore dresses with skirts that fell at knee-length. On their arms they wore starched ‘frillies’ at the cuff.
The ambulance cadet uniform consisted of a black Balmoral cap, grey flannel shirt, black and white tie, black shorts with a white stripe, and grey stockings. The cadets’ uniforms also included a belt, haversack and armband. Within the haversack the cadets carried their provisions and with the armband they showed their membership in St John Ambulance.