Khaki drill summer frock : Sergeant L Box, Australian Women's Army Service

Khaki drill summer frock with short sleeves, front placket opening with six oxidised Australian Military Forces buttons, woven sergeant's rank chevrons on right sleeve, detachable shoulder straps with white embroidered 'A.W.A.S.' slides, a patch pocket over left breast and slanted inset welt pockets over each front hip. The front bodice is shaped by three loose tucks on either side of the front yoke and centre front waist. The A line skirt is cut in five panels - two at the front and three at the back. The belt is missing. The inner right shoulder is marked in black ink 'L.BOX V.F.512513'. There is a woven manufacturer's label sewn inside the left breast behind the pocket.

VF512513 Sergeant Lorna Annie Box (later Ollif) was born in Stawell, Victoria, in 1913 and enlisted for service in the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) in Melbourne, on 7 September 1943. After initial service at the Army Salvage Depot at Fisherman's Bend she was selected to undertake training at the first AWAS Driving School at Ingleburn in New South Wales. Box served as a driver to AWAS Captain Thelma Long, before being transferred to secretarial duties because of her pre-war experience in this field. In this capacity she posted to service with General Northcott, and with the Military Intelligence Service, including the British Borneo Civil Affairs Unit. Lorna Box was discharged on 15 May 1946. She later wrote and published the first history of the AWAS, 'Women in Khaki', in 1981.