RAISING MUM'S ARMY

Neil R Storey tells the oft-forgot story of the women on Britain’s home front prepared to make their stand against Nazi invasion

The roles of women in the Women's Royal Naval Service, Auxiliary Territorial Service and Women's Auxiliary Air Force involved in the defence of Britain have deservedly received recognition.

Women took on the roles of despatch riders, ambulance drivers, anti-aircraft gunners (where they did almost everything except fire the guns) and barrage balloon operators. Those who were involved in the secret ‘Y’ service radio interception stations and in the Special Duty Sections would have provided vital ‘eyes and ears’ and communications functions for the Auxiliary Units should Britain have been invaded, and there were those who displayed incredible courage as female operatives of the Special Operations Executive. These are just some among myriad roles ably fulfilled by women at war. But what of those prepared to take up arms and ‘do their bit’ in the event of a Nazi invasion of our shores?

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