Despatch rider training, Auxiliary Territorial Service, 1939-1945 (c)

Photograph, World War Two (1939-1945).

Members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service learning how to drive motorcycles as part of their despatch rider training. The motorbikes' headlights are fitted with blackout covers to reduce the chance of the vehicle being seen from the air at night.

The first women recruited to the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) worked as cooks, clerks and storekeepers. As time went on the range of duties expanded and women served as office, mess and telephone orderlies, drivers, despatch riders, postal workers and ammunition inspectors. Motorcycle despatch riders played a vital role in both World Wars. Riders were used to deliver urgent orders and messages between headquarters and military units, on traffic control tasks and in escorting high ranking officers and other dignitaries.

One of 420 photographs relating to the trades in which Auxiliary Territorial Service personnel were employed, 1939-1945.