Shoulder cape with rank insignia : Colonel P M McCarthy, Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps

Nurses red woollen shoulder cape. The cape is fastened at the collar with a small metal hook and eye and a Rising Sun badge. The body of the cape is made out of one panel of fabric with a wide (approximately 49 mm on hem and 9 mm at neck) border stitched to the outside. The shoulder straps are fitted with: silver-plated metal Australian Army general service buttons made by 'STOKES MELB'; Colonel's rank insignia of two silver-plated metal stars and a silver-plated metal and red velvet crown; and silver plastic 'RAANC' shoulder titles.

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 her ward dress uniform.

McCarthy's long career began with her Second World War service in Papua New Guinea with the 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.