'ATS: For information ask at any Army or ATS Recruiting Centre or at the nearest employment exchange', 1940 (c)

Colour photolithograph by unknown artist, published by HM Stationery Office, printed by Alf Cooke Limited, 1940 (c).

The Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) was established in 1938 as the threat of war increased. After initial training, recruits were asked to carry out trade tests to establish which area they should go into. Experience in civilian life was usually crucial. For example, if a woman had been a typist she would be assigned clerical duties. During the course of the war the range of duties undertaken by the ATS expanded and women worked as telephonists, drivers, mess orderlies, cooks, butchers, bakers, postal workers, ammunition inspectors, telephonists, anti-aircraft gunners, radar operators and military police.