Red Cross Dollies

These days, young women may take umbrage at being called a “dolly,” but during WWII, “doughnut dolly” was a warm and affectionate term used by soldiers to show their appreciation for the morale-building efforts of the young ladies who worked for the American Red Cross, and specifically, the women who operated ”clubmobiles,” vehicles driven to air bases where these angels served fresh doughnuts, hot coffee, and played Big Band music to welcome airmen as they came home from overseas missions. The first Clubmobiles were remodeled London Green Line buses driven by an English driver and operated by three American women, and if the topic interests you, you might want to read, Doughnut Dollies: American Red Cross Girls During World War II.  This photo we found on Pinterest (and credit will happily be given upon receipt of information) shows Red Cross Doughnut Dolls with an English Bull Terrier. Maybe it’s just us, but we’re thinking the dog gave them a moment of normalcy during a difficult time.

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