Found a TV programme today about the Royal Hospital, Chelsea and their proposals to allow women to live there. One of the ladies who visited the Hospital said she was a "Girl Gunner" from WW2. I had absolutely no idea that women were employed as gunners and would like to learn more about these Girl Gunners. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can read? Googling "Girl Gunners in WW2" doesn't help much.
Sheila, I googled Women at war and found a lot of hits. This is just one of them which has other hyperlinks. Military and War: Women's Roles - Women in the Military - Women at War Regards Tom
Sheila That would be the fine Ladies of the ATS who served in mixed Anti-Aircraft Batteries during WW2. The ATS did everything except man the guns. They took great pride in the fact that the were allowed to wear the white lanyard. Many adopted the RA grenade as a breast badge, and there are occasions where their sergeants adopted the RA Gun above the stripes as worn by full sergeant in the RA. Try to get hold of a copy of Sisters in Arms by Vee Robinson. Vee tells her story as a member of a mixed battery. Be careful though, there are two books of the same name, on different subjects! Phil
Here you go A female in the Arty BBC - WW2 People's War - With the ATS on a Search-Light Squad(Chapter One) Cheers Andy
Thanks chaps - I knew someone here would have the answers. Looks like I'm in for some serious reading soon.
My mother was a Girl Gunner. ATS then to the anti aircraft batteries right in the middle of bomb alley at Crayford in Kent. After the invasion she went to Belgium with the ATS and served there for a while. I have lots of her photographs including an official one of her ATS passing out parade. I will dig out a few and have a look at the badges.
Sheila, Looks like your lady has moved in with the boys http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/world-war-ii-news-articles/18332-ladies-join-men-chelsea-barracks.html#post183368
Sheila, Looks like your lady has moved in with the boys http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/world-war-ii-news-articles/18332-ladies-join-men-chelsea-barracks.html#post183368 Yep! And the nice thing is that the powers that be are talking of designing an official handbag for the ladies!
My mother was a Girl Gunner. ATS then to the anti aircraft batteries right in the middle of bomb alley at Crayford in Kent. After the invasion she went to Belgium with the ATS and served there for a while. I have lots of her photographs including an official one of her ATS passing out parade. I will dig out a few and have a look at the badges. I'd love to see some of those photographs John. Also, if you have ever managed to get any stories I'd love to read them. Sheila
Yep! And the nice thing is that the powers that be are talking of designing an official handbag for the ladies! I think hey need a skirt rather than trousers too
I think hey need a skirt rather than trousers too Why? They didn't complain about the uniform when they applied to join. Although I think that ladies of their age may well be more comfortable wearing a skirt.
They took great pride in the fact that the were allowed to wear the white lanyard. Many adopted the RA grenade as a breast badge They certainly did!!
Found a TV programme today about the Royal Hospital, Chelsea and their proposals to allow women to live there. One of the ladies who visited the Hospital said she was a "Girl Gunner" from WW2. I had absolutely no idea that women were employed as gunners and would like to learn more about these Girl Gunners. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can read? Googling "Girl Gunners in WW2" doesn't help much. you may have to get more specific with your search. women DID operate anti aircraft artillery mostly due to the shortage of men !!
you may have to get more specific with your search. women DID operate anti aircraft artillery mostly due to the shortage of men !! Now that is interesting. One of my mother's friends who was in the Army for years claims that the girls didn't actually operate the guns but merely acted as spotters and range finders. She reckons that they worked on the Ack Ack batteries. Does anyone want to prove her wrong?
