Shoulder cape with ribbon bar : Colonel P M McCarthy, Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps

Nurse's red woollen shoulder cape. The cape is fastened at the collar with a metal hook and eye. The body of the cape is made out of one panel of fabric with a wide (approximately 66 mm) border stitched to the outside. Plastic Australian Army general service buttons made by 'STOKES MELB' are fitted to the shoulder straps. On the proper left breast is a ribbon bar for the: Royal Red Cross, Second Class; Pacific Star; Defence Medal; British War Medal 1939-45; Australian Service Medal 1939-45; Korea Medal and the United Nations Service Medal for Korea. Sewn to the bottom interior of the cape is a white synthetic manufacturer's label which reads, 'V 310 1944 / MADE IN / AUSTRALIA / SIZE'.

Worn by F22 Colonel Perditta Majorie McCarthy, Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps (RAANC) during her Vietnam War service. The cape was worn as part of the ward dress uniform. McCarthy's long career began with her Second World War service in Papua New Guinea with Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS). She next served with the AANS (later designated the Royal Australian Army Nursing Service) with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. She saw further service with the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps (RAANC) in Korea, Malaya and Vietnam.

McCarthy was awarded the Associate Royal Red Cross on 10 June 1954. Her last appointment was as Matron-in-Chief of the RAANC and before her retirement she was promoted to brigadier, the only nursing officer to obtain such a rank. On 1 January 1972, she was awarded the Royal Red Cross, First Class and retired that year after 31 years of service. In 1975 she was appointed honorary Colonel of the Army Nursing Corps.