Peculiar (And Fake) WW2 London Auxiliary Ambulance Service (LAAS) Overalls

12/20/2018

A most peculiar set of overalls that belonged to a volunteer with the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service (LAAS). I've not seen overalls in this design before and the bespoke badge is most interesting in the way that it can be removed fro the overalls.
UPDATE: It would appear that the original seller of this item has a somewhat notorious record of producing fake items. Thought the original boiler suit is vintage the badge and name (seems that have a proclivity for stamping white lettering on post-war boiler suits) have to be taken with a pinch of salt...

2 Comments

Stephen Crookes

5/6/2019 16:22:00

Hi, as the owner of this I was shocked and disappointed to read your update. Further reading of the seller’s exploits I can understand your comments. If this was a stand-alone item, I would agree completely that this is a fake. However, I do have other items connected to ‘Godfrey’ namely the medic bag with log book (no entries I’m afraid) helmet, photos (none wearing the overall in question) and National Registration card.
It is a fact that Nora Ellaline Godfrey served with the Ambulance Service in WW2. Her maiden name was Austen and she appears in the 1939 National Register (under Bexley) as such with Godfrey added later (she married in 1940). It is clearly marked in red that she is attached to the L.C.C. Ambulance. The Bexley Heath address on her 1943 NR card matches that for her in the 1938 Electoral Roll. There is no endorsement with the NR card because I believe she was no longer serving with the L.A.A.S when this was issued in May 1943 – With her affects were 3 war service chevrons. Neither the 1939 Register and Electoral Roll entries were submitted by the seller, but from my own research. The medic bag has her handwritten name under the flap. Interestingly, the distinct style of the ‘y’ in Godfrey matches her handwritten entry on the NR card. I have no doubt the card and entries are original. I am very familiar with these. The log book is for No.3 District L.A.A.S. This is for Bexley Heath. I cannot account for why it is named to ‘N.A. Godfrey’ but this could be an error as the handwriting doesn’t appear to be hers. I do a lot of family history research and come across this a lot. Even in her 1938 Electoral Roll entry her first name is misspelt.
With my belief that the other items that I have of hers are genuine I would argue the point so is the overall. I understand that unscrupulous sellers can incorporate a fake item amongst genuine ones to give authenticity to such, but equaly I can’t see why this could not be something she wore, even though its peculiar. The badge looks genuine (strange hook attachment. You would expect a fake to be sewn on) but admittedly ‘LAAS’ could have been added along with the name above. But why add the name if it came with her affects anyway? The behaviour of the seller does raise doubts although I have purchased a couple of other items from them, not Civil Defence related, that are absolutely right. I will in future be very wary of anything they sell and will amend my notes that the overall’s authenticity is questionable.

C Smith

5/6/2019 20:58:46

I commend you on your excellent research that shows there was indeed a person named Godfrey involved with ambulance service. However, I don't believe the provenance of the overalls. I would say they have used the other items to create additional value in these overalls. The seller is notorious for selling hooky militaria (I believe they were convicted of fraudulently selling Dam Busters uniforms) and although the other items may well be original I would say the overalls are not. There's too much wrong with them IMHO. Why put a name on overalls on the front (ever seen this before)? Why is the badge detachable (what's the point)? There's no photographic evidence. I'm afraid that they remain highly questionable and in my opinion are fake.

Peculiar (And Fake) WW2 London Auxiliary Ambulance Service (LAAS) Overalls

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