Founded by Royal Warrant in September 1938, the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) initially planned to recruit 25,000 female volunteers for driving, clerical and general duties. However, in 1939 it saw action alongside the British Expeditionary Force in France. Britain's declaration of war had been transmitted by an ATS operator.
Most women in the ATS served in anti-aircraft command and famously the 93rd Searchlight Regiment were all female. They also worked in mixed batteries on anti-aircraft guns, though were not officially allowed to fire them. The ATS was given equal military status with men in April 1941, though continued to be paid less than men of equivalent rank.
The ATS was disbanded in 1949, eventually becoming the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC). The WRAC itself was disbanded in 1992 with its members joining other Army units.
