Auxiliary Territorial Service Collection

The Mayor of Reading, Councillor W. E. C. McIlroy, inspecting members of the Auxiliary
The Mayor of Reading, Councillor W.E.C. McIlroy, inspecting members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) at a display in the city centre during the Second World War. 11th June 1942

POSTER: WOMEN WORKERS. ATS cook for the troops. British poster encouraging women to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the womens branch of the British Army. Lithograph, c1942

Farewell To Civil Defence, 10 June 1945, (1947). Creator: Unknown
Farewell To Civil Defence, 10 June 1945, (1947). Stand-down parade of Civil Defence Forces, Hyde Park, London, end of the Second World War

Second Subaltern in A.T.S. - 1945, 1947. Creator: Unknown
Second Subaltern in A.T.S. - 1945, 1947. Princess Elizabeth (future Queen Elizabeth II) in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, during the Second World War

Training to be an A.T.S. Officer - April, 1945, 1947. Creator: Unknown
Training to be an A.T.S. Officer - April, 1945, 1947. Princess Elizabeth (future Queen Elizabeth II) learning map-reading in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, during the Second World War

Women of the ATS operating the height finder optics at an anti aircraft battery in the West Midlands. 12 December 1941

The first ATS of SouthEast Asia Command arrive in Ceylon during the Second World War. Pictured awaiting transport after their arrival. 16th July 1945

Automatic Train Stop, 1922. Creator: Unknown
Automatic Train Stop, 1922. From The Romance of Modern Railways, by T. W. Corbin. [Seeley Service & Co. Limited, London, 1922]

Members of the various British womens war services, World War II, 1939-1945 (photo)
6015202 Members of the various British womens war services, World War II, 1939-1945 (photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Kit inspection, 1939-45 (b / w photo)
2975485 Kit inspection, 1939-45 (b/w photo) by Streeck or Streek, Jurian van (1632-87); National Army Museum, London; (add.info)

Women of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) manning a searchlight in the London Defence Area, World War II
6015200 Women of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) manning a searchlight in the London Defence Area, World War II, 1942-1945 (photo) by English Photographer

Women of the ATS working theEpredictors at an anti aircraft battery in the West Midlands. 12 December 1941

Women of the ATS operating a identification telescope at an anti aircraft battery in the West Midlands. 12 December 1941

Five pairs of sisters who are part of an A. T. S. company
Five pairs of sisters who are part of an A.T.S. company. Front row: Ivy and Diana Polkinghorn and Josephine Croker. Behind them are Vera and Iris Jones, Doris and Edna Hughes

A. T. S. Officers arrive in Canada. Left to right - J / C Elizabeth McHaughton
A.T.S. Officers arrive in Canada. Left to right - J/C Elizabeth McHaughton of Edinburgh, who will undertake personnel selection duties, was born in Manchuria and lived there for some years

Sergeant Cornish and Corporal Baker, A. T. S. workers for the Middle East Bus Service
Sergeant Cornish and Corporal Baker, A.T.S. workers for the Middle East Bus Service. 2nd January 1945

Prime Minister Winston Churchill sent a message of congratulations to General Sir F. A. Pile GOC in C, Anti Aircraft Command

Princess Mary, the Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood, pictured at an ATS Training depot near Reading during the Second World War

A. T. S. Wireless Operators learn Morse Code. (Picture
A.T.S. Wireless Operators learn Morse Code. (Picture) Girls receiving messages in morse code on an open air receiver. 8th December 1941

British ATS women in the Middle East, getting letters from home. November 1942

Sawing and hammering away like veterans, a cluster of ATS girls, all brides or brides to be, are making the furniture for their new homes

Drivers of an ATS vehicle check for damage after a collision in snowy conditions in Lincolnshire during the Second World War. February 1941

Members of the Merseyside mixed ack ack (ATS - Auxiliary Territorial Service) battery, assist in cutting the birthday cake on the first anniversary of the batterys formation

This picture is about work. But the works looks such fun. These ATS girls and their soldier pals turned haymaking into a merry holiday

This picture is about work. But the works looks such fun. These ATS girls and their soldier pals turned haymaking into a merry holiday

When lance corporal Audrey Harris and pte. Phillipe Harris leave to go on parade t Rev. C.E.L. Harris, ex Pte. ex L/Cpl. ex Brig.Gen

A. T. S. girls on a course of physical training are so full of pep that they find new deeds
A.T.S. girls on a course of physical training are so full of pep that they find new deeds of daring to perform. Here are some who do a mild form of acrobatics among themselves during the break just

A. T.s on searchlight battery, 19th January 1943
A.T.S on searchlight battery, 19th January 1943

ATS cooks celebrate after lunch with a drink. June 1939 P010074

Watching A.T.S. girls at work... Army School of Cookery at Aldershot, c1941, (1951)
Watching A.T.S. girls at work with a field kitchen during one of her visits to the Army School of Cookery at Aldershot, c1941, (1951)

Chopping and Peeling. An A. T. S. cooking centre, 1944. Creator: Anthony Gross
" Chopping and Peeling." An A.T.S. cooking centre, 1944. Women preparing food at an Auxiliary Territorial Service centre somewhere in Britain during the Second World War

In An Anti-Aircraft Gun-Pit, 17 October 1941, (1945). Creator: Unknown
In An Anti-Aircraft Gun-Pit, 17 October 1941, (1945). British Prime Minister Winston Churchill visits London anti-aircraft batteries jointly manned by men and women during World War Two

Mr. Churchill in a Cheerful Mood, 1940s, (1945). Creator: Unknown
Mr. Churchill in a Cheerful Mood, 1940s, (1945). British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (1874-1965) in Whitehall, London, with his daughter Mary (1922-2014) who was a Subaltern in the ATS

I ve never had an appetite like this, 1940. From Life in the A.T.S. booklet on the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), in Tucks Better Little Book series

Never any lack of company, 1940. From Life in the A.T.S. booklet on the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), in Tucks Better Little Book series

Experience as storewomen, 1940. From Life in the A.T.S. booklet on the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), in Tucks Better Little Book series

On the gun-sites, 1940. From Life in the A.T.S. booklet on the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), in Tucks Better Little Book series

A. T. S. dances are grand fun, 1940
A.T.S. dances are grand fun, 1940. From Life in the A.T.S. booklet on the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), in Tucks Better Little Book series

Life in the A. T. S. 1940
Life in the A.T.S. 1940. From Life in the A.T.S. booklet on the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), in Tucks Better Little Book series

A worth-while piece of work, 1940. From Life in the A.T.S. booklet on the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), in Tucks Better Little Book series

Anti-aircraft women of the ATS operating an identification telescope, 1943. From Roof Over Britain. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1943]

Women on duty on an anti-aircraft battery, 1943.The girls cannot be beaten in action, said the officer commanding a mixed battery. They are quite as steady, if not steadier, than the men

WWII: GUN GIRLS, c1942. Two women of the Auxiliary Territorial Service working as spotters at a gun site in Scotland, searching the sky for hostile aircraft during World War II. Photograph, c1942

POSTER: A. T. S. c1944. British poster promoting the Auxiliary Territorial Service
POSTER: A.T.S. c1944. British poster promoting the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the womens branch of the British Army. Lithograph, c1944

POSTER: WOMEN RECRUIT. British poster encouraging women to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service or the Womens Auxiliary Air Force. Lithograph

POSTER: WOMEN WORKERS. ATS - be active - be useful. British poster encouraging women to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the womens branch of the British Army

POSTER: WOMEN WORKERS. ATS wants cooks. British poster encouraging women to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the womens branch of the British Army. Lithograph, c1943

POSTER: WOMEN WORKERS. British poster encouraging women to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the womens branch of the British Army. Lithograph, c1943

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"Women at the Forefront: The Auxiliary Territorial Service in Action" During World War II, the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) played a crucial role in supporting the British war effort. This diverse group of women took on various roles, from cooking for troops to operating anti-aircraft batteries. In one captivating poster, we see ATS cooks diligently preparing meals for the troops. Their dedication and hard work ensured that soldiers were well-fed and ready for battle. Meanwhile, members of the ATS were inspected by none other than the Mayor of Reading himself, Councillor W. E. C. McIlroy, highlighting their importance and recognition within society. The ATS was not limited to domestic duties alone; they also operated height finder optics at anti-aircraft batteries. In an awe-inspiring photograph, we witness these brave women working tirelessly to protect their country from enemy attacks. The impact of the ATS extended beyond Britain's shores as well. The first ATS members arrived in Ceylon as part of Southeast Asia Command during WWII. These trailblazing women demonstrated courage and resilience while serving far away from home. Collaboration among different British women's war services was vital during this time period too. A poignant photo captures members from various organizations coming together to support each other and contribute collectively towards victory. Kit inspections were a regular occurrence within the ATS ranks - a testament to their commitment to professionalism and preparedness amidst challenging circumstances. One iconic image showcases female members manning searchlights in London's Defense Area - a symbol of strength and determination against enemy air raids. Even Winston Churchill himself recognized the invaluable contributions made by these remarkable women. Photographs capture him visiting an Army School of Cookery where he observes with admiration as ATS girls showcase their culinary skills. From chopping vegetables at cooking centers to manning anti-aircraft gun-pits, every task performed by these dedicated individuals contributed significantly towards safeguarding Britain during its darkest hours. The ATS embodied the spirit of resilience, unity, and unwavering patriotism.