Very Rare WW2 Women’s Uniform Group Naval Inspector & WAVE

[manayunkman]

Recently I acquired an interesting WAVES group that belonged to Elizabeth Cornish of Royal Oak, Michigan.

[manayunkman]

While going through it I noticed a uniform, skirt and garrison cap that all matched in color and were not a style I had seen in WAVES uniforms. 
 

In the meantime I posted the group picture, above, in the New Finds sub forum and two members asked to see a close up of the insignia on this particular uniform.

 

Once I realized that this uniform was more unusual than I thought I looked through small pile of period paperwork that came with the group and this is what I found:

 

The uniform 

[manayunkman]

More pictures of the uniform and tag in the hat.

 

The garrison cap is not grey.

[manayunkman]

Ms Cornish’s ID tag and card from Wilson Foundry & Machine Co.

 

They made parts for the Willys Jeep including the engine block.

 

I am not sure when she worked here as there are no other references to Wilson in the group.

 

You can see she is wearing a tie and jacket or some sort of a uniform.

 

The only reference to the navy is Inspector of Naval Material, nothing about WAVES.

 

Is that significant? Not sure yet.

[manayunkman]

Next up is a Visitor ID tag from Vickers Incorporated.

 

They made parts, hydraulics in particular, for the US Navy.

What’s this got to do with anything?

 

[manayunkman]

Of all the documents in the stack this had the oldest information from April 1, 1943 and that ties in with Vickers showing proof she worked there.

 

This document is a US Navy efficiency rating given after her first year of work at Vickers.

 

Her rate is CAF-3 and her title is Junior Inspector.

 

What does CAF-3 stand for?

 

Is she a civilian working for the Navy?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[manayunkman]

The next letter is dated 12/3/43.

 

She sends a letter to her employer The Inspector of Naval Materials announcing her intention to join the WAVES.

 

This confirms that at Vickers she worked for the Navy as a civilian.

[manayunkman]

11 December 1943

 

Confirming she is a civilian employee.

 

This is the letter she requested in the previous post.

[manayunkman]

And a letter of recommendation where it is explained what Ms Cornish did for the Navy.

 

 

[manayunkman]

My deduction is that because of the patch on the jacket and the above documentation that this uniform was worn while performing her duties at Vickers and fulfilling her role as a civilian Naval Inspector.

 

Has anyone ever seen a uniform like this and know if I am right or not?

[Brian Keith]

Can't add anything, but it sure is a great and interesting grouping!

BKW

[manayunkman]

16 minutes ago, Brian Keith said:

Can't add anything, but it sure is a great and interesting grouping!

BKW

No need to add, the compliment was more than enough.

 

 Thank you and thank Elizabeth Cornish for all her service.

[manayunkman]

Here she submits her resignation to join the WAVES in February 1944.

 

[Salvage Sailor]

1 hour ago, manayunkman said:

Here she submits her resignation to join the WAVES in February 1944.

 

 

Point No. 2 "Military Furlough".  This was to hold her position and seniority at Vickers Incorporated for her post-war reemployment.

 

[manayunkman]

25 minutes ago, Salvage Sailor said:

 

Point No. 2 "Military Furlough".  This was to hold her position and seniority at Vickers Incorporated for her post-war reemployment.

 

I have no information on what she did after the war.

 

Here is her discharge from the WAVES.

[manayunkman]

Here is a 1946 accolade for her services to the Navy as a civilian.

[manayunkman]

A picture of US Navy Yeoman Third Class Elizabeth Cornish in her WAVES uniform.

[manayunkman]

The card for her “E” award.

[manayunkman]

The tools of the inspectors trade.

 

There are 3 rubber stamps, 4 steel stamps and a brass stencil.

 

I would imagine that if some form of Navy material passed inspection she would mark it with the appropriate marker.

[manayunkman]

She kept a notebook of things Navy and how to identify them.

 

Here are some samples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sigsaye]

This is simply an amazing grouping. The fact that so much survived intact and together. Thank you for sharing. 

[manayunkman]

5 hours ago, sigsaye said:

This is simply an amazing grouping. The fact that so much survived intact and together. Thank you for sharing. 

Thank you for your comment.

 

Ms Cornish must have held her service in high regard and had the room to keep it all.

 

Thankfully the lady who brought it to me also recognized its significance and didn’t split it up.

 

Again I want to thank everyone who commented and if anyone has any information on Civilian Naval Inspectors and their uniforms please don’t hesitate to chime in.

[manayunkman]

Is there anyone who knows anything about civilian volunteers in the US Navy?

 

Did they have their own uniforms?

[Eric Queen]

Super grouping Peter. So complete. Contras on a nice find. 

[sigsaye]

3 hours ago, manayunkman said:

Is there anyone who knows anything about civilian volunteers in the US Navy?

 

Did they have their own uniforms?

What do you mean by “Civilian Volunteers in the US Navy”?