Women’s Voluntary Services Uniforms & Insignia during WW2
Women’s Voluntary Services (WVS) was officially launched in June 1938 and the following November the first uniform of overcoat, hat and badge was issued. Lady Reading organised the design of the uniform and that members were responsible for purchasing it for civil defence duties. By February of 1939 the WVS became the Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence. Further uniform items were introduced in October 1939 - tweed jacket and skirt, red blouses and overalls. Towards the end of 1939 woven badges were introduced which also covered area markings (similar to those to appear on CD battledress from 1941).
To denote rank with the WVS chromium plated badges were issued in April 1940. For summer wear a new dress was introduced. In the autumn of 1940 jumpers and cardigans were added to the list of available items. A beret was introduced in January 1941 to replace the more expensive felt hat.
With the introduction of clothes rationing in June 1941, all WVS uniforms were to be centrally managed by the Ministry of Home Security by March 1942. Later that year in August, WVS members could purchase materiel to make their own uniforms. As not every member could afford to buy their uniform, financial support was offered.
A major change to the cost of WVS uniforms came in January 1943. Also introduced were regional strips to denote the region a member belonged to. From March 1943 only the wrap-over overall was available for purchase and armlets were introduced for those without a uniform.
War service chevrons were issued from April 1944.
To denote rank with the WVS chromium plated badges were issued in April 1940. For summer wear a new dress was introduced. In the autumn of 1940 jumpers and cardigans were added to the list of available items. A beret was introduced in January 1941 to replace the more expensive felt hat.
With the introduction of clothes rationing in June 1941, all WVS uniforms were to be centrally managed by the Ministry of Home Security by March 1942. Later that year in August, WVS members could purchase materiel to make their own uniforms. As not every member could afford to buy their uniform, financial support was offered.
A major change to the cost of WVS uniforms came in January 1943. Also introduced were regional strips to denote the region a member belonged to. From March 1943 only the wrap-over overall was available for purchase and armlets were introduced for those without a uniform.
War service chevrons were issued from April 1944.
An excellent resource for uniforms and insignia related to the WVS can be found in Jon Mills' The Women's Voluntary Services (WVS).
WVS members wearing a variety of uniforms.
Several WVS Uniforms
The below photograph features several of the common WVS uniforms found in WW2:
1. Two-piece herringbone tweed WVS suit (from 1939). She holds the official WVS scarf (also 1939). Unusual location of an appointment bar badge worn on the WVS hat (from 1939).
2 and 6: Second pattern economy (with fewer buttons) WVS overall (from summer 1940)
3 and 4: First pattern WVS overall (from late 1939)
5. WVS flannel summer dress (from summer 1940)
(Missing from the photo is the wrapover overall.)
1. Two-piece herringbone tweed WVS suit (from 1939). She holds the official WVS scarf (also 1939). Unusual location of an appointment bar badge worn on the WVS hat (from 1939).
2 and 6: Second pattern economy (with fewer buttons) WVS overall (from summer 1940)
3 and 4: First pattern WVS overall (from late 1939)
5. WVS flannel summer dress (from summer 1940)
(Missing from the photo is the wrapover overall.)
Several of the common WVS uniforms worn in WW2
WVS Uniforms & Hats
1940 WVS Summer Dress
The summer pattern dress issued in 1940 was a mid-length, long-sleeved dress of grey-green flannel fabric. It had a turn-down collar, fastened at the front with six buttons from neck to waist, had shaping darts to the upper chest and back, a single patch pocket to the left breast, two patch pockets with single-button closures to the front of the skirt, a vertical vent opening to the left side of the waist closed by five press-stud fasteners and button cuffs. The dress came with a detachable waist belt of matching fabric, secured at the front by passing the ends of the belt through a cloth ring and buttoning them back. All buttons are of the plastic four-hole variety and are grey-green in colour to match the dress. Sewn to the breast pocket is a light grey square cloth badge with the text 'W.V.S' above 'CIVIL' above 'DEFENCE' in a square border surmounted by a King's crown in red embroidery. (Images IWM UNI 4740)
When sourcing an original dress it is vital to pay close attention to the design details above. A lot of post-war WVS dresses are sold as wartime but there are a number of differences to be aware of, the key one being that post-war dresses have four sets of two buttons.
WW2 WVS Wrapover Overall
WVS Beret, Scarf and Armband
WVS Membership, Rank and Region Insignia/Badges
WVS Membership Badges
The original role of the WVS was to encourage women to join the ARP services as wardens or ambulance drivers or in hospitals. The first pattern badge with ARP on it was issued for only three months in late 1938; it was issued following training and cost 6d to purchase. In February 1939 the WVS changed into the Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence and a new badge was issued. A few versions of this badge exist - one with enamelled lettering and a later version with painted lettering (a war-time economy measure).
Embroidered Badges
Chromium Badges
Area Markings
The archivist from the WVS has written a detailed overview of the uniforms of the WVS worn during the second world.