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Five members of the West Indies Auxiliary Territorial Servic
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Five members of the West Indies Auxiliary Territorial Servic
Photograph of five members of the West Indies Auxiliary Territorial Service sitting on a military vehicle, 1943-1947 (c).In the early stages of the Second World War black Caribbean women wishing to support the war effort were given little support or encouragement by the British government. Voluntary groups in the West Indies were given no financial support from the War Office in London and those wishing to travel to Britain were discouraged either by the racial prejudice of recruiting officers or by policies such as that which stipulated that those wishing to serve in Britain had to pay there own passage across the Atlantic. However, in face of the exigencies of war which necessitated the total mobilisation of the Empire and Commonwealth citizens it became clear that this discriminatory policy could not stand. By 1943 West Indian Women were allowed to join the uniformed services and by the end of the war many hundreds had seen service with these organisations and thousands more contributed through work in essential industries and agriculture.One of 69 photographs relating to the West Indies Auxiliary Territorial Service, 1943-1947. Date: 1943
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Media ID 14377581
© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library
1943 1947 Auxiliary Caribbean Effort Encouragement Indies Members Photograph Second Stages Support Territorial Wishing
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures five brave West Indian women of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) during World War II, sitting confidently on a military vehicle. In the early years of the conflict, black Caribbean women faced significant barriers when attempting to contribute to the war effort. The British government provided little support or encouragement, with voluntary groups in the West Indies receiving no financial assistance from the War Office in London. Moreover, those wishing to travel to Britain to serve were often deterred by racial prejudice or policies requiring them to pay their own passage. However, as the war's demands for total mobilization of the Empire and Commonwealth citizens grew increasingly urgent, this discriminatory policy could no longer be sustained. By 1943, West Indian women were finally granted permission to join uniformed services. Over the course of the war, hundreds of these women served in various organizations, while thousands more contributed through essential industries and agriculture. This photograph is one of 69 images documenting the West Indies Auxiliary Territorial Service during this period, 1943-1947. It serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination of these women who, despite facing significant obstacles, answered the call to serve their country and play their part in the global struggle against fascism.
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