Members of the West Indies Auxiliary Territorial Service gathered around a piano, 1943 (c)

Photograph, World War Two, 1943 (c).

For black women, service in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) in Britain during the Second World War was a very trying experience. Most had never been abroad before and life in drab wartime Britain with its cold climate and strange culture came as a shock. Furthermore, although most were treated kindly by their British hosts, racist attitudes were still commonplace, particularly within the services and they were often lumbered with menial chores despite having being assigned to higher clerical work. Despite these difficulties most were successful in adapting to life in Britain and were able to discharge their duties effectively.

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