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W.A.T.C.C. Ike Uniform.


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Women's Ambulance and Transportation Corps of California (W.A.T.C.C.)

 

Another patriotic women's organization founded under para-military structure

during WWII. This organization and uniform are so uncommon, only two

references could be recently found using google. I had seen a photograph,

enclosed, of a WATCC uniform perhaps four months ago, when this particular

uniform appeared on Ebay. I immediately recognized what it was, although

the seller had clearly mis-identified it. I was determined to acquire it and bid

appropriately. It didn't come cheap, since at least one other person had some

idea of its rarity and bid high too.

post-1529-1199513155.jpg

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ABOUT THE PHOTO:

 

Major Margaret B. Harrison, Women's Ambulance and Transport Corps

of California, March 1943

 

During World War II Margaret Harrison served at the rank of

major, as the commander of the Women's Ambulance and Transport

Corps of California.

post-1529-1199513548.jpg

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nice and rear. the first i ever have seen. to bad its missing the belt. still a nice outfit. thumbsup.gif

 

I don't think this uniform was ever worn with a belt. The period photo shows an officer's

full size uniform; I believe the 'enlisted' uniforms, whether full sized or Ike style were not

worn with a Sam Brown style belt. Granted, the WATCC isn't the same organization as

WADCA; however, if you look at the period photos I posted under that subject, you'll see

that only the officers wore the Sam Brown belt. Other uniforms were worn with a regular

leather belt, and some like the one (WADCA) I own have an integral belt sewn into it.

 

Just as a man's Ike jacket uniform would not have been worn with a belt, I don't think this

one was intended to be worn with a belt either. The tunic shows no wear pattern from ever

having a belt attached.

 

Granted, both of us are trying to make an educated guess from a statistical sampling of one

Ike style 'enlisted' uniform, and one officer's uniform.

 

BTW, both the WADCA and WATCC uniforms have the same type of buttons, and both

organizations served similar functions and had their genesis in Southern California.

 

Msn

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Women's Ambulance and Transportation Corps of California (W.A.T.C.C.)

 

Another patriotic women's organization founded under para-military structure

during WWII. This organization and uniform are so uncommon, only two

references could be recently found using google. I had seen a photograph,

enclosed, of a WATCC uniform perhaps four months ago, when this particular

uniform appeared on Ebay. I immediately recognized what it was, although

the seller had clearly mis-identified it. I was determined to acquire it and bid

appropriately. It didn't come cheap, since at least one other person had some

idea of its rarity and bid high too.

 

Thank you for the ID on this organization! Years ago, I acquired this WATCC patch in a huge WWII patch collection. The closest I've ever come to an ID on it was "Ambulance Driver" in a 1945 dated patch reference. What a relief to finally put an actual name to the organization. Are the o/s cap and shoulder patches the same size? Mine measures exactly 2" top to bottom.

 

Do you have an ID on the second patch I show here? Same collection as the WATCC and the only ID on this one I have been able to find is "War Aid" from the same reference. It would really be nice to finally get an ID on both of these at the same time. Jeez, I love this forum and the wealth of information it provides.

 

Gary

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post-84-1199844825.jpg

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> Are the o/s cap and shoulder patches the same size?

> Mine measures exactly 2" top to bottom.

 

The hat patch measures 2" in diameter, like yours; however, the sleeve patch is 2.5" in diameter.

The two patches I have on the uniform parts differ slightly in color. The hat patch is green/gold,

and the sleeve patch is more of a bronze color.

 

> "War Aid"

 

I am not familiar with that particular patch design.

 

Possibly Junior American Nurse, or Bundles for America. Perhaps an even more obscure organization.

I wish you best of luck identifying it.

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> Are the o/s cap and shoulder patches the same size?

> Mine measures exactly 2" top to bottom.

 

The hat patch measures 2" in diameter, like yours; however, the sleeve patch is 2.5" in diameter.

The two patches I have on the uniform parts differ slightly in color. The hat patch is green/gold,

and the sleeve patch is more of a bronze color.

 

> "War Aid"

 

I am not familiar with that particular patch design.

 

Possibly Junior American Nurse, or Bundles for America. Perhaps an even more obscure organization.

I wish you best of luck identifying it.

 

Thanks for the measurements. An o/s cap patch it is. I'll keep hoping to get an ID on the other one.

 

Gary

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