Norfolk Jacket : Sister C G Low, Australian Army Nursing Service

Nurse's grey wool serge 1916 pattern walking out Norfolk jacket with open notched collar, five button closure down the centre front, integral self fabric belt with two button fastening, a single button at each cuff, and dark brown wool worsted shoulder straps secure by a single button. All the buttons are of oxidised brass AMF pattern. The shoulder straps bear curved oxidised brass voided 'AUSTRALIA' titles and rank pips for a lieutenant (Sister). Brown wool diamond shaped colour patches with a hand embroidered gold embroidery cotton circle in the centre (sewn through both outer sleeve and sleeve lining), for unallotted AIF nurses, are sewn to the head of each sleeve. A white and red embroidered Australian Army Nursing Service badge, normally worn only with the pre-1916 pattern of uniform, is sewn to the upper left sleeve. The integral belt and pleats running up each side of the jacket front and back, are sewn into place with a double row of stitching. The loose ends of the belt at the front, and the shoulder straps, are lined with brown polished cotton twill. The body and sleeves of the jacket are lined with grey fabric. A black and gold woven tape reading, 'Ball & Welch Ltd SYDNEY' is sewn inside the back neck to allow the jacket to be hung from a peg. A red and white embroidered label for the same manufacturer is sewn to the jacket lining beneath the tape and has additional space to carry the wearer's name.

Charlotte Gertrude Low was born to David and Blanch Low in February 1893 in Pambula New South Wales. Charlotte was popularly known as 'Lottie' to her friends and family. With her father being a Policeman the family often moved around the State. After training at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney before the war she became a trained civilian nurse. On 18 June 1917 she joined the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) in Sydney. On joining she was living in 14 Rawson Street Auburn, her occupation was stated as being a trained nurse and she was described as being '24 years 4 months old, 5' 7'' in height with fair complexion, brown hair and blue eyes'. She was promoted to Lieutenant and she arrived at Port Said in Egypt on 23 January 1918. Upon arrival in Egypt she was posted to the 31st General Hospital in Cairo. During this time Lottie was nursing both Allied and Turkish patients, one of whom gave her a Turkish Star medal and ribbon. Charlotte embarked for Australia on 14 April 1918 on the 'Kanowna' for six months change.

After returning to Australia in 1918 she worked as a nurse at the St Georges Heights Auxiliary Hospital. During this time she met Henry Cuthbert Hill who was a patient at the hospital. Henry had been severely wounded several times on the Western Front whilst serving as an Infantryman with 36 Battalion AIF. After spending time at various hospitals overseas he was brought back to Australia to recover. Part of Henry's recovery program involved the making of embroideries. Lottie and Henry later married in Burwood Sydney in 1922 and settled in Tumut. They had three children, the eldest being Donald followed by Harry and Pamela. Henry passed away in Tumut in 1938 and Charlotte passed away in Sydney at age 83 on 5 November 1976. Continuing in footsteps of his grandparents in serving the Nation during wartime, one of Lottie and Henry's grand-children, Group Captain Michael Carey served as a member of the Royal Australian Air Force attached to the HQ Multi-National Force in Baghdad between December 2006 to June 2007.