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Guide to the Women's Ambulance and Transportation Corps Collection
MS 66
MS 66
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Table of contents
Title: Women’s Ambulance and Transportation Corps Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 66
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.25 Linear feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1940-1942
Abstract: This collection contains correspondence, newspaper articles, and other records of the Women’s Ambulance and Transportation
Corps, a military-trained civilian organization operating in San Diego during World War II.
creator:
Women’s Ambulance and Transportation Corps.
Biographical / Historical Notes
The Women’s Ambulance and Transportation Corps was founded by Colonel Julia Dowell in May of 1940. Dowell was the commander
in chief, and records show that the WATC was gathering volunteers to provide aid in conjunction with other organizations such
as the American Red Cross. The organization was trained by professional military, including first aid procedures, swimming
instruction, infantry drill, ambulance driving, mechanics, rifle and pistol practice, gas mask use, chemical warfare, and
aviation and parachute skills. By September of 1940, there were roughly 250 women enlisted, and by March of 1941 there was
a Los Angeles branch. The organization became incorporated in January of 1942. The requirements to join were that the women
be 18-45 years of age, US citizens, white, of sound health, and able to devote two nights a week to training.
This collection contains correspondence, newspaper articles, and other records of the Women’s Ambulance and Transportation
Corps, a military-trained civilian organization operating in San Diego during World War II. Other documents include receipts,
photographs, incorporation papers, and rules and regulations. The majority of the collection is correspondence between Colonel
Julia Dowell and various government offices, including a note from the secretary of Eleanor Roosevelt. The collection focuses
on the years 1940-1942, when the WATC was founded and soliciting recruits to join the war effort.
This collection is arranged by material type.
Women’s Ambulance and Transportation Corps Collection, MS 66, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.
This collection is open for research.
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Collection processed by Lindsay Banuelos on November 17, 2007.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Dowell, Julia
Izac, Ed V.
Johnson, Hiram
McLees, J.B.
Parachute Circus.
Peck, Paul
Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962
United States. Federal Works Agency.
Women’s Ambulance and Transportation Corps.
Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps.
Ambulances
Emergency transportation
Women and the military
World War, 1939-1945