Headquarters Tasmanian Lines of Communication Area colour patch : Lieutenant Colonel E F Parry, Australian Womens Army Service

Place Oceania: Australia, Tasmania
Accession Number REL33165.002
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Colour Patch
Physical description Wool felt
Maker Unknown
Place made Australia
Date made c 1942-1946
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Horizontally aligned square colour patch, divided brown over green, for Headquarters Tasmanian Lines of Communication Area.

History / Summary

Worn as a distinguishing unit indication at the head of each sleeve for Headquarters Tasmanian Lines of Communication Area from 1942 to 1946. Associated with the service of V345004 Eileen Frances Parry (later Macintyre), born on 13 September 1913 in Melbourne. Parry trained as a nurse at Saint Vincent’s Hospital, graduating in 1936. She enlisted in the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) on 19 November 1941 and was chosen as one of the Service’s 28 original officers. After attending 1 AWAS Officer’s Training School at Yarra Junction Victoria, Captain Parry was appointed Commanding Officer of the AWAS Recruit Training School, Southern Command, in January 1942. In October the unit expanded and became 4 AWAS Training Battalion, Victorian Lines of Communication Area. Parry was promoted to major on 11 March 1943, and in April was transferred to 2 AWAS Training Battalion at Ingleburn, NSW. In August Parry was posted to Hobart with AWAS Headquarters, Tasmanian Lines of Communication Area as assistant controller. Her role was to administer the Service and advise the commander of the area on the welfare of AWAS personnel. In April 1944 Parry was appointed deputy controller and transferred to AWAS Land Headquarters, Melbourne. She was later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in October. As deputy controller, Parry assisted AWAS founder, Colonel Sybil Irving, and undertook inspection tours across the country as a member of the Officer Pre-selection Board. Parry was discharged on 15 November 1946.