This half-length pastel portrait depicts an unidentified officer in the WRNS. She has short brown hair and is dressed in uniform, including a dark blue double-breasted coat with gold buttons and a black felt tricorne hat. Each of her sleeves bears a single light blue ring, indicating the rank of Third Officer. The gold crown and light blue laurel wreath of her officer’s cap badge are just visible above the hat’s brim. A blue-and-white medal ribbon – possibly a Distinguished Service Medal – is pinned to the left side of her coat. In her lap she holds a brown object, perhaps a pair of kid gloves. The background of the portrait is rendered in pale yellow and white, suggesting a curtain. The pastel is signed and dated, upper left, ‘McCulloch / 1945’. This refers to the artist Joseph R. R. McCulloch, who was at this time based in Chelsea, London.