condensed discuss document expanded export feedback print share remove reset document_white enquire_white export_white report_white
discuss document export feedback print share gallery-landscape xml

tunic, tropical

human history
  • Other Name

    tropical tunic : Major : Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (NZ) : WW2 (descriptive name)

    Major Meryll Arabella Neely, NZ WAAC (associated name)

  • Description

    tropical tunic : Major : Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (NZ) : WW2

    Uniform of Major Meryll Arabella Neely

    khaki cotton drill; lined; shoulder badges: shoulder title NEW ZEALAND, and one pip (star rank badge)

  • Place
  • Associated Place
  • Accession Date
    1976
  • Other Id

    U134.4 (uniform)

  • Department

Images and documents

Artefact

  • Credit Line
    Collection of Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, U134.4
  • Public Access Text

    Tropical tunic, part of Women's Army Auxiliary Corps uniform, WW2

    In August 1941 Meryll Neely became New Zealand's first female officer. She led a group of 30 women to serve in the New Zealand Forces club, Cairo. This unit of the Women's War Service Auxiliary, known as the 'Tuis' arrived in Cairo in 1941. The Tuis were later absorbed into the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps.

    When the war ended in Europe Meryll worked for the United Nations Refugee and Rehabilitation Agency's headquarters at Tirana in Albania.

  • Place
  • Date
    [1940-1945]
  • Associated Notes

    Tropical tunic, part of Women's Army Auxiliary Corps uniform, WW2

    In August 1941 Meryll Neely became New Zealand's first female officer. She led a group of 30 women to serve in the New Zealand Forces club, Cairo. This unit of the Women's War Service Auxiliary, known as the 'Tuis' arrived in Cairo in 1941. The Tuis were later absorbed into the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps.

    When the war ended in Europe Meryll worked for the United Nations Refugee and Rehabilitation Agency's headquarters at Tirana in Albania.

  • Associated Event
    WW2; 1939-1945
  • Associated Person
  • Associated Place
  • Associated Date
    [1941-1945]
  • Period
  • Classification
  • Last Update
    15 May 2023
The development of the Auckland War Memorial Museum online collection is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.

The gift of curiosity

With unlimited free entry to all paid exhibitions, discounted event tickets and exclusive Member-only events, a Museum Membership is the gift that keeps on giving year-round.

SEE OPTIONS FROM $60

The gift of curiosity