Carrie, Commonwealth Government Clothing Factory, Melbourne

Studio portrait of Carrie [surname unknown] a member of the Defence Girls, in uniform and standing with a rifle, reverse is inscribed: 'to Grace from Carrie 3-6-18'. The recipient was Esther Grace Taylor (later Mrs Grace Clark), also a member of the Defence Girls band. Grace Taylor appears in group portrait DAX2065. members of the Defence Girls' infantry section on the steps of the Exhibition Building in Melbourne. The "Defence Girls", "Defence Khaki Girls" or "Khaki Girls" as they were known, were female workers from the Department of Defence's Commonwealth Clothing Factory. In 1918 around 200 formed this patriotic group. In their spare time, the members undertook many activities: fundraising for the Australian Comforts Fund; supporting recruitment; performing in displays and ceremonies; and farewelling and welcoming home troops at the docks. They sometimes travelled to country towns in Victoria. Their displays included infantry and horseback drill, physical culture and a bugle band. Each individual group wore specific uniforms. On 1 and 3 June 1918, the Defence Girls entertained large crowds at a carnival in the grounds of the Exhibition Building and raised money through drills, displays, stalls and an art union.