Unit History: WRAC
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The Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC) was the corps in the British Army that female members of the British Army belonged to between 1949 and 1992. This did not include women who were performing medical service for the Army.
It was formed in February 1949, as a successor to the Auxiliary Territorial Service. For several years, the role of the women was to perform administrative support tasks. Later on, they became attached to other corps including the Royal Artillery and the Royal Engineers.
In April 1992, the WRAC was disbanded and the members were transferred into appropriate units in the army. Many women were reluctant to do this because they felt it would be harder to compete on an equal basis with men. This might have been justified because it took seven years before a woman was awarded the title of Brigadier. The organisation amalgamated into the official Adjutant General’s Corps.
It was formed in February 1949, as a successor to the Auxiliary Territorial Service. For several years, the role of the women was to perform administrative support tasks. Later on, they became attached to other corps including the Royal Artillery and the Royal Engineers.
In April 1992, the WRAC was disbanded and the members were transferred into appropriate units in the army. Many women were reluctant to do this because they felt it would be harder to compete on an equal basis with men. This might have been justified because it took seven years before a woman was awarded the title of Brigadier. The organisation amalgamated into the official Adjutant General’s Corps.
Memories of WRAC
(Memories written by members of Forces Reunited)
WRAC Basic Training, Lingfield 1963 in 1963
Written by Vee Taylor
One morning we were waiting for the sergeant to do kit and locker inspection and having a last cigarette. We heard the shout 'Stand by your beds' rather earlier than we expected. I threw my cigarette out of the open window behind my bed and my friend Pat Ripley in the bed opposite, didn't have her window open so she looked around for somewhere to put her stub. She was about to put it into her ashtray but changed her mind, she didn't want to dirty it.She looked frantically around but couldn't see anywhere to put it so she quickly opened the top drawer of her dressing table and dropped it in.
The sergeant advanced down the billet checking peoples' kit and furniture for signs of dust and dirt. She got to Pat's bedspace and gave a cursory glance at her kit laid out on the bed. She went behind Pat to look in the locker and I saw Pat close her eyes, praying the sergeant wouldn't open the drawer.
Too bad! She did just that and was met with a cloud of smoke from Pat's underwear which had caught fire. When I saw this I couldn't contain myself and burst out laughing. This did not go down well with the sergeant, nor the Troop OC when we were up before her on a charge. We got 5 days jankers cleaning out the orderly room every evening after tea.
looking for old wrac pal in 1979
Written by Dianne Jenkins
I went onto forces missing persons on 15th June 2004 to look for an old army mate, the next day I recieved an e-mail from her brother who passed on info to see if she was right person. Three days later we are now in contact again after 25 years. It can work so give it a go.29 Company WRAC Rheindahlen in 1983
Written by Lin Langdon nee Bartholomew
29 Company WRAC was my first posting after completing basic training at Guildford in 1981. I met a lot of good friends here but one special one in particular, Kathy Bennett who was a CPL at the time i believe her army number started 458. We had such a good laugh here with Block parties with the guys we knew Paddy and Charlie Watts. Kathy and I hit it off straight away. Kathy got me into fitness training and devised a programme for me. One of our favourite places was the Blue Pool where we drank many a cocktail, rounding off the night at Pops & Eddies!!! Do you also remember the nights in the "Marly" This was where i met my husband Mick Langdon whom I have been married to for 21 years. We also have a daughter Kirsty who is 16. Kathy was a bridesmaid when we got married in 1983 in Portsmouth. We kept in touch for a few years after this but sadly we lost touch. I would really love to meet up with her again. The last i knew she was living in scotland. It would also be nice to know how Paddy and Charlie are doing as well.wrac Guildford 67 in 1967
Written by Patricia Dodge was Smith
I can never forget the pt in the gym,we excercised own arms by saying "I must,I must,develope my bust,I didnt need anymore.My POP I felt so proud to have my family watching me, we only had one girl pass out she was beside me, we kept on marching.
WRAC Kingston Surrey in 1960
Written by AUDREY DONOVAN
Travelling to Mill Hill for postal training in the back of a three tonner freezing but still singing all the way.Richmond Park in wooden billets with the deer using the walls to sharpen their antlers in the rutting season.
Having to walk all the way through the park in the pitch dark to get to the billets. The good old days!!!!!
