Auxiliary Territorial Service searchlight crew, 93rd (M) Searchlight Regiment, 1942 (c)

Photograph, World War Two, 1942 (c).

Female members of a searchlight crew wearing 'teddy bear' coats and helmets. The 93rd (Mixed) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery was formed in 1942 and disbanded at the end of the War, in 1945.

Searchlights were an important component of Britain's defence against the German bombing campaign during World War Two. Searchlights were used to locate and illuminate enemy bombers, providing targets for anti-aircraft gun batteries. With increasing numbers of male soldiers serving overseas, in North Africa and the Far East, women from the Auxiliary Territorial Service were drafted in to operate searchlights from 1941.

From photograph album relating to the Auxiliary Territorial Service and the 93rd (M) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery, 1942-1945.