Object Record
Images
Additional Images [1]
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1979.c56.05 |
Object Name |
Jacket, Uniform |
Date |
1943 |
Features |
Summer weight linen jacket - a part of uniform from the Canadian Women's Army Corp. it is a felted jacket and single breasted. - breast pockets and 2 lower pocket - the pocket flaps are held down with buttons - breast pocket interior is lined with satin lining (?) - there are 4 buttons down the front - one button for each pocket and one for each shoulder lapel - 9 buttons in total. Buttons are brass and have a figure of a women's head with an army cap on, with the letters C.W.A.C written on the inside of the circumference of the button. buttons down the front are 2x larger than those on the pockets and shoulder lapels. the shoulder lapels are dark brown felt and have C.W.A.C on them. sleeve tags with "Canada" are on both sleeves at the top, below that are sleeve stripes. the lower right sleeve has an army green colored circular badge with the letter "T" and a green branch with white leaves below it. under the circular badge is a red "V" with the point facing upwards. lower left sleeve has a circular black badge with the letters "G.S" in red. there are holes where pins could previously have been. the inside of the jacket is fully lined (satin). at top near collar are the embroidered letters "M.A.C". half way down jacket on inside right is a brown cloth label with white inscription of "TIP TOP TAILORS LTD, Tailored to measure" on same side further down is a white cloth label with black inscription of "TIP TOP TAILORS LIMITED SIZE 5 C.W.A.C. Jacket. HEIGHT 5'2" TO 5'3", BUST 36" TO 37", WAIST 28" TO 39", DATE 1943" |
Object Story |
This jacket was made by Tip Top Tailors in Toronto in 1943 for the Canadian Women's Army Corp. Tip top Tailors was founded by David Dunkelman in 1909 in Toronto. In previous decades the company made military uniforms alongside other endeavors but now they mainly manufacture masculine evening wear. Originally formed in 1941 to enlist women into industry support roles, the Canadian Women's Army Corp (CWAC) was not originally a part of the Canadian military due to gender segregation separating them from the rest of the army. This separation meant that these women did not receive proper ranks or insignias that their male counterparts did at the time. During this time the women took to jobs such as cooks, clerks and quartermasters resembling many traditional gender roles. The CWAC was eventually integrated into the Canadian army on March 13th, 1942 in order to resolve the administrative problems that was caused by the segregation of the genders. This integration officially allowed women to hold proper ranks and insignias in the Canadian army. Although many positions in the CWAC still resembled traditional gender roles, such as cooking and clerical duties, these women were also trained on the home front in ciphering/decoding, signaling and range-finding which was unheard of at the time. On September 30th, 1946, the CWAC was disbanded due to authorities believing that the women's contributions were not needed during peace time but by this time approximately 21,626 women had served in the CWAC. Although the regiment was disbanded, the involvement of these women set the stage for the eventual full incorporation of women into the Canadian military in the postwar era. This specific jacket, along with its matching uniform, was worn by Margaret Clark who was born in Pembroke. Once she enlisted in the Canadian Women's Army Corps she was moved to the Hillcroft Barracks in Kingston. There she gained the rank of Corporal, working in the quartermasters store as the head tailor and was subsequently paid 50 cents per day for her work (approximately $8.89/day in 2023). She was also known for teaching crafts to discharged personnel at the barracks in her free time. After the war Margaret moved to Napanee where she lived with her husband, Sid Rivers. |
People |
Clark, Margaret (active 1944) Rivers, Margaret |
Subjects |
1940's Clothing & dress Costumes Military Military life Military officers Military personnel Military uniforms People associated with military activities Uniforms Woman Women World War II |
Search Terms |
1940's Canadian Women's Army Corps Costume, 1942 Costume, 1942, women Kingston Military Napanee Pembroke World War Two World War Two, Canadian Women's Army Corps World War Two, soldiers |