Dutch doll : Corporal J W Robinson, 2/14 Light Field Ambulance

Doll made from woollen felt and cotton wadding. The doll is a girl with plaited yellow hair and a poke bonnet. The inner brim and back of the crown are made of purple felt and the front is embroidered with sequins. The back of the brim and the rest of the crown are made of grey felt. The doll's body is made from peach felt and she is dressed in a grey vest tied at the waist with a purple bow. She is also wearing a 12 gore skirt in alternating colours of grey and purple. The bottom of each panel is decorated with a flower held in place with a sequin. The flower on the bottom of the purple panels is cream with a peach centre and those on the grey panels are peach with a cream centre. The doll is also wearing green bloomers under her skirt, grey and purple shoes and a purple bow around her neck. Her arms are movable and a metal trouser button acts as a hinge. The arms are covered with sleeves of red sheepskin. All top stitching has been done with yellow cotton. The doll's face is made from stiffened silk with painted eyes, brows, cheeks and lips.

This doll was made by NX83462 Corporal John William Robinson from Young, NSW. Robinson was born in Wagga Wagga in October 1910 and enlisted in the Army on 13 January 1942. He served in New Guinea with 2/14 Light Field Ambulance and was discharged medically unfit on 24 August 1945. Suffering from stomach ulcers and other complaints, Robinson received treatment on several occasions after the war at Concord Hospital in Sydney. During one of these visits he was taught to make dolls as a form of rehabilitation.