Dagenham Girl Piper jacket
Object number
LDVAL 2007.31.1
Date
after 1935 – before 1950
Description
Black velvet jacket, part of the Dagenham Girl Pipers costume. Belonged to Joyce Reeland (9/11/1921 - 10/2001) who joined the Dagenham Girl Pipers in c1935. She was a bass drummer and rose to the rank of Sergeant. She travelled the world with them, visiting Paris, Ceylon and Germany, and entertained the troops during the war. On 14th April 1939 Joyce was one of the party who boarded the SS American Trader in London and set sail for America. She docked in New York on 24th April 1939. Joyce left the Pipers soon after and joined the Women's Army Corp band as a drummer and attained the rank of Corporal. In 1945 she demobbed and returned to the Dagenham Girl Pipers, and as part of a small group she travelled to Germany for 3 months to entertain the troops. She returned on New Years Eve the same year, and six weeks later went to India and Ceylon for 10 months. Joyce lived with her family at 34 Osborne Square, Dagenham. She left the Dagenham Girl Pipers in 1950. These items were rescued from a house clearance after her death by Nick Medway. See also Archive collection ACQ2007/16.
Physical description
Black velvet skirted jacket that fastens with a single cufflink style button. The skirt is divided into 6 sections, with 4 larger hexagonal pieces and two ?tails?. The larger pieces have 2 layers, of which the smaller top layer has 3 vertical braids with gilded square buttons at the end. The 2 front pieces has a pocket in each of the larger lower sections. The full length sleeves have a deep asymmetrical cuff that is folded back onto the arm. The outer side of the cuff has 3 braids, which increase in length, each one finished with a gilt square button. A double width, floral lace frill hangs from the end of the cuff. On each shoulder is a single epaulet with braiding and a button. There is a button at the top of each tail on the reverse of the skirt. The gilded square buttons contain a central motif of a crossed sword and axe, with a shield on top embossed with a lion rampant. Around the circumference are (possibly Gaelic) words. The inside is lined with grey cotton, and all seams are handstitched.
Condition
Good
Type
Jacket
Size
Body length: 435mm
Body length: 655mm
Body width: 500mm
Body width: 445mm
Sleeves length: 480mm
Material
Outer: velvet
Lining: Cotton
Buttons: Metal
Collection type
Textile
Inscription
Inscription Cast On buttons: TIR NAN BEANN’S NAN GLEANN’S NAN GAISGEACH
Alternative reference
Entry Number 1705 (2007-08-18)
Looking for recordsGallery
| Metadata | |
|---|---|
| Start date | after 1935 |
| End date | before 1950 |
| Institution | Valence House Museum |
| Type | Jacket |
| Material | velvet Cotton Metal |
| Collection type | Textile |