ATS training: NCO, WOSB (OCTU)

Discussion in 'The Women of WW2' started by dbateson, Jul 18, 2018.

  1. dbateson

    dbateson Junior Member

    Margaret E. Denys-Burton (1921-1955), was private in the ATS. Couple of interesting posting relating to courses (see below). As far as I can tell Margaret remained a private until she left the ATS in January 1946.

    Qs: Does anyone have any details of the courses listed below (ATS; NCOs & WOSB)? Perhaps the ATS took class photos and/or kept detailed records of the course attendees? If so, do they still exist?

    In Margaret's military records, I notice:

    "Attached to ATS NCOs School wef 30.8.43. Derby
    Attended 26th Course at ATS NCOs School wef 31.8.43 - 1.10.43. Result B- Derby"

    Also later, after a posting to ATS Signals School, in March 1945 she:

    "Attended No. 42 WOSB (OCTU) ATS on June 45 (poss. reads Jan 45?)"
    My understanding is that:
    WOSB = War Office Selection Board
    OCTU = Officer Cadet Training Unit
    Currently thinking the OCTU could be the officer training unit at Craigmillar, nr Edinburgh.

    BTW: I see from her records that she spent about 2 weeks in Craiglockhart Hospital in late May/early June 1945 and passed a trade test ATS signals school, Gp 'D' Class III SBO.

    Thanks
     
  2. Bala

    Bala Member

    The ATS radio operators in the Special Duties Branch of Auxiliary Units began as 'Other Ranks' and were chosen because of their voices being suitable. The were sent to an OCTU in Edinburgh to gain a commission....
     
  3. Bala

    Bala Member

    INFORMATION WANTED ON THE ATS OCTU No.1 AT CRAIGMILLAR EDINBURGH,
    Has anyone written of their time on a course there? Know if War Diaries exist? Course photos were taken?
    Thank you
     

Share This Page