The Call UP
Land, Air and Sea
The ATS
In 1938, the Government set up a woman's branch of the army known as the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service. The ATS recruits wore a khaki uniform and black boots. Even their underwear was khaki. The women lived in barracks and earned two shillings a day (10p) plus food and accommodation
ATS recruits didn't go into battle or fire guns but they did everything else their male colleagues did including serving overseas. They were often given safe options such as driving lorries, working as telephonists or clerks. They operated radar and searchlights; they could even aim the anti-aircraft guns at the enemy aircraft but they were not allowed to fire them.
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