Norfolk jacket : Captain M M Malcolm, 2/3 Casualty Clearing Station

Australian Army Nursing Service grey serge Norfolk jacket with self fabric belt threaded through bands extending vertically on each side from the front hem over the shoulder to the back hem, in imitation of box pleats. The two hip pockets have rectangular flaps, secured by oxidised AMF buttons. The brown shoulder straps are secured by the same buttons, and bear oxidised 'AUSTRALIA' titles and rank insignia for a captain.

A further two buttons are sewn on each cuff. The head of each sleeve bears a colour patch for 2/3 Casualty Clearing Station. The jacket is lined throughout with grey cotton. A welt pocket is set into each side of the front lining. The right pocket bears a blue woven manufacturer's label for Muldoon & Bollen Melbourne. The wearer's name is also typed on the label, 'S/N. M.M. Malcolm'.

Mary Mercia Malcolm was born in Melbourne on 1 June 1915. After finishing school she studied nursing and specialising as a theatre nurse. In September 1940 she joined the Citizen's Military Forces as a staff nurse in the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS), serving at 115 Australian General Hospital (AGH) at Heidelberg in Melbourne. She was promoted to sister in December 1941. At the beginning of 1943, when members of the AANS adopted officer's rank, Sister Malcolm was appointed a lieutenant.

In January 1944 Malcolm enlisted in the Second AIF, which allowed her to be posted overseas, and was assigned the service number VFX138644. She was assigned as a theatre nurse to 2/3 Casualty Clearing Station (2/3 CCS) in 1945 and sailed with the unit aboard the hospital ship Wanganella to Morotai in May. There, they assisted staff of 2/2 Australian General Hospital. In July 2/3 CCS moved to Balikpapan in Borneo, remaining there until the end of the year. 2/3 CCS returned to Sydney on the hospital ship Manunda, arriving there in February 1946.

Lieutenant Malcolm returned to work at 115 AGH before being transferred to 106 AGH at Bonegilla, Victoria, in June 1946. In December she was promoted to temporary captain. Malcolm was discharged from the AIF on 30 June 1947 and immediately joined the Interim Army. In February 1948 she was appointed matron at the royal military college, Duntroon, where she remained until her army appointment was terminated in July 1950.