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My nans ATS Military record

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Unknown

Unknown Report 8 Sep 2015 17:23

Hi, I've just found out my nan was in the ATS in WW2, I have her service number and everything but cant find any lists for the ATS on here... anyone know how I can find this out please?

KathleenBell

KathleenBell Report 8 Sep 2015 17:56

Welcome to the boards.

I don't know about the ATS specifically, but WW2 service records are still with the MOD and are not online.

Have a look here to see how to apply for them:-

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

Kath. x

Kay????

Kay???? Report 8 Sep 2015 21:20

https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/131/auxiliary-territorial-service.
Use the sites search tab.

They were only territoral so may only be little bit of paperwork.They didnt do any fighting,

PatinCyprus

PatinCyprus Report 9 Sep 2015 07:49

There were 717 ATS killed in WW2.

Some were on ack ack guns and searchlights defending the country. My mother was trained to be an electrician in the ATS and rewired damaged tanks.

My mother was put on standby for D Day to follow the troops onto the beaches to look after damaged tanks. They were supposed to go a few days after D Day when the beaches were secured. The order was rescinded but some ATS did go onto those beaches a few days after D Day. They may have been drivers as well as clerical branch.

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/allies-surge-across-normandy

Did you know some of the last to get off the beaches at Dunkirk were ATS telephonists who stayed at their posts until the last possible moments.

Queen Elizabeth as Princess Elizabeth was a driver in the ATS but she also had to learn all about the engine to look after her vehicle.

My mother spent all her ATS life at Chilwell in Nottingham.

Here's a link to help you understand what they did. Your nan should have had at least 1 medal but you had to apply for them and my mother never did.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auxiliary_Territorial_Service

Cynthia

Cynthia Report 11 Sep 2015 11:14

Welcome to the Community Boards Tracy.


(I'll let Tracy know how to find her replies) :-)

Unknown

Unknown Report 15 Sep 2015 18:00

Thanks guys for all the info. Kay???, I couldnt open your link for some reason , it just kept saying runtime error???? PatinCyprus I never knew they did so much in the war, very interesting.
Kathleen, I've applied to MOD so will see what happens.