Members of the West Indies Auxiliary Territorial Service drinking tea, 1943 (c)

Photograph, World War Two (1939-1945), 1943 (c).

The ATS was established in 1938 as the threat of war increased. As well as Britain, recruits were sought from the Dominions, India and the West Indies. 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, butchers, bakers, postal workers, ammunition inspectors and military police.

One of 69 photographs relating to the West Indies Auxiliary Territorial Service, 1943-1947.