Collections record Beta

Red Cross Uniform Coat with Belt

1932-18-4 a,b

A: Jacket - dark grey wool single breasted jacket; four patch pockets with flaps and buttons; three buttons at sleeves; right sleeve have one gold bar - vertical above buttons; decoration on collar - blue tab divided by black braid and ending with black button - right side only; epaulettes on both shoulders with "U.S." and enameled Red Cross pins/buttons; patch at top right arm of fleur de lis in gold cord; metal belt loops B: Belt - grey wool, closes with snap

These were worn by Anna Lansing with her Red Cross uniform during her time of service during World War I. Born in 1871, Anna Lansing served in the American Red Cross Canteen Service during WWI. With the American entry into the war, transportation difficulties and congestion at important railroad junctions often made it impossible for soldiers to receive adequate meals prior to boarding and disembarking. The United States government requested the American Red Cross provide refreshments at railroad junctions, both at home and abroad, for the military on troop trains. As a result, the canteen service was founded and it grew quickly in both the United States and Europe to serve Allied troops from the U.S., France, Italy, and Great Britain. By the end of the war, the Red Cross was operating 700 fixed canteens and served refreshments to nearly 40 million members of the armed forces. The canteen service distributed 1.5 million gallons of coffee, 15 million sandwiches, and 11 million cookies, doughnuts, and pies. This work was only accomplished due to the sheer number of women who found time away from their home, children, and wartime jobs to volunteer. In total some 55,000 women volunteered with the Red Cross during the First World War.

ca. 1916

• wool