Cape : Staff Nurse E Hoile, Australian Army Nursing Service

Australian Army Nursing Service scarlet superfine wool ward dress cape. The body of the cape is made out of one panel of fabric with a wide (approximately 70 mm) mitred hem double-stitched to the outside. The cape is fastened at the collar with a small brass hook and eye. There are slits on the shoulder straps, suggesting two oxidised brass Sister's rank stars were originally fitted to them. A small oxidised brass Australian Military Forces button secures the shoulder straps. The rear of the cape has a small vent with a looped tab behind. An embroidered label has been hand-stitched to the inside collar with 'E. HOILE' in red thread.

Associated with the service of Staff Nurse Eleanor Hoile. Hoile was born on Christmas Day 1888 in Laura, South Australia and was a practising nurse when she enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service on 3 October 1916. Prior to enlistment Hoile had completed her nursing training at Adelaide Hospital and had served in a volunteer capacity for the AIF Home Service from 30 July 1915.

Hoile embarked for England aboard HMAT Afric on 16 November 1916, arriving in London on 10 January 1917. Initially posted to 2 Australian Auxillary Hospital, Southall she was detached to 3 Australian General Hospital, Brighton on 19 January.

Proceeding to France on 11 April Hoile was posted for duty to 1 Casualty Clearing Station on 23 September. On 21 March 1918 she was transferred back to 3 Australian General Hospital, which had moved to France, where she nursed until the end of the war.

Hoile was admitted to Southwell Gardens Hospital, England for ten days and was discharged on 23 January 1919. Returning to Australia the following day, medically unfit, she disembarked in South Australia on 5 March. She was formally discharged from the AIF on 3 July.