Badge : Worker M M Hurman, Womens Army Auxiliary Corps

Brass, oval shaped Women's Army Auxiliary Corps badge showing the voided letters 'WAAC' within a wreath.

14079 Worker M M Hurman was a member of Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps (QMAAC). Intially called the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), the QMAAC was formed in Great Britain in 1917 from the earlier Women's Legion, allowing women who were not qualified for the nursing services to play a service role in the war. Its members were primarily employed as clerks, telephonists, waitresses, cooks, and instructors, many of them seeing service in France. A statement released by Buckingham Palace later in 1917 read 'As a mark of Her Majesty's appreciation of the good services rendered by the WAAC both at home and abroad since its inauguration, and especially of the distinction which it earned in France during the recent fighting on the Western Front, Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to assume the position and title of Commandant-in-Chief of the Corps, which in future will bear the name of Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps.' QMAAC was disbanded in 1921.