The Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) tasked women with a range of vital roles during the Second World War.
Formed in 1938, they served with distinction throughout the war, before eventually being disbanded in 1949.
Following the disbandment, the remainder of its troops transferred to the newly formed Women's Royal Army Corps.
Military life on Wormwood Scrubs
Wormwood Scrubs has a long history with both military operations and aviation.
From as early as 1812 the area was leased by the war office from the Manor of Fulham to exercise cavalry horses.
The grounds would be used for a number of military exercises throughout the decades. To this day a section from a rifle range can still be found as a wall in the Linford Christie Stadium to this day.
In the early 20th century, the Scrubs would also play a part in aviation history, with the launch of a pioneer airship.
The grounds where Linford Christie Stadium now stand were used in the construction of airships for a number of years until it again played host to military operations during the Second World War.
The Chief Cable Censorship Department, an outpost of the enigma code-breaking Government Code and Cypher School based in Bletchley Park, would be stationed at the Scrubs throughout the war.
Celebrate VE day with us
This May marks 80 years since VE (Victory in Europe) Day. We're marking the anniversary with a free family fun day in Ravenscourt Park, Saturday 10 May.
Entertainment on the day includes live music by Bunny Nightingale, a Winston Churchill lookalike and a Home Guard display. We have more information available here.
Eighty years ago, the borough came out in full force to celebrate and in 2025 we hope to recreate a little of that magic once again.
Hammersmith & Fulham has a rich connection to the war; we were home to the Generals planning headquarters, the residence of the first Indian Flying Ace, and one of the boroughs who welcomed a large portion of the Windrush Generation to the area after the war to help rebuild the local economy.
