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New Zealand Medical Services in Middle East and Italy

NZWAAC (Medical Division)

NZWAAC (Medical Division)

On a similar basis the voluntary aids were able to return to New Zealand after three years' service.

The status of the voluntary aids had recently been revised. The nursing sisters had always had the status of officers and wore badges of rank as such. Except for their few officers, the WAACs were rated as NCOs and privates. This debarred them from first-class rail travel in the Middle East and also from certain hotels and clubs. This handicap, especially undesirable in Egypt and Italy, was fully recognised by our administration. To improve the position all badges of rank were abolished and all members of the NZWAAC (Medical Division), except the officers, were designated as nurse and their identity cards amended to state that the bearer was allowed the privileges of an officer as regards travel, accommodation, and club facilities. This was a satisfactory solution to a difficult problem.