PATRONAGES, ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS

During the Second World War, The Duchess of Gloucester played an important part in supporting the war effort, working alongside her husband and the King and Queen.

She took a great interest in the work of the various women's organisations and of the Red Cross and of the Order of St John. She was already a fully trained member of the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) and a former Assistant Commandant of her local division in Scotland. From 1937 she was Deputy to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother as Commandant-in-Chief of the Nursing Corps and Divisions of the St John Ambulance Brigade.

She was closely concerned with the Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence (now the Women's Royal Voluntary Service) and with the Women's Royal Air Force, of which she had been head since 1940, latterly in the rank of Air Chief Marshal.

In 1945, the Duchess moved with her family to Australia, where The Duke of Gloucester was Governor-General for 1945-47. There she became Commandant-in-Chief of the Australian Women's Land Army and of the three women's services.

On her return to Britain, The Duchess of Gloucester increased the number of her commitments, becoming President or Patron of many organisations, including several hospitals and welfare services.

These included: Australian Musical Society, Britain-Australia Society (Vice Patron), British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association (BLESMA), Council for the Protection of Rural England (Northamptonshire branch), East Africa Women's League (UK), East Park Home for Infirm Children, Embroiderers' Guild, Friends of Lichfield Cathedral, Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Society, Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Girls' Brigade, Girls' Public Day School Trust, Gloucester Three Choirs Festival, King's College Hospital, Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Gardens Scheme Charitable Trust, Oundle Choral Society, Peterborough Arts Council, Queen's Nursing Institute, Scotland's Gardens Scheme, Scottish Veterans' Residences, Royal Society of British Artists, Society of Scottish Artists, Soldiers' Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA - Vice Patron), Ulster Hospital and the Women's Career Foundation.

Princess Alice held several honorary appointments and ranks in the Armed Services. She was Colonel-in-Chief of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, Royal Australian Corps of Transport, Deputy Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Anglian Regiment and the King's Royal Hussars. The Princess was Honorary Colonel of the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps. She was Patron of the Royal Army Service Corps and Royal Corps of Transport Association.

Princess Alice travelled widely in her Royal duties. She visited Germany, Austria and other countries to inspect units of the Women's Royal Air Force and regiments with which she was associated. In the earlier post-war years she accompanied her husband overseas on important constitutional occasions in the Commonwealth, and on private visits to a number of countries, including a return visit to Australia in 1965.