The Auxiliary Territorial Service (the ATS) was established in 1938; it had its roots in the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps of the First World War. The Auxiliary Territorial Service was attached to the Territorial Army and the women received two thirds of a soldier's pay. They were cooks, clerks and storekeepers.

After the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940, numbers were increased to 65,000 and their duties included telephonists, drivers, postal orderlies and ammunition inspectors. They were also given full military status at this time.