Guide to the Women's Ambulance and Transportation Corps Collection MS 66

Finding aid prepared by Samantha Mills

San Diego History Center Document Collection

1649 El Prado, Suite 3

San Diego, CA, 92101

619-232-6203

March 29, 2017

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.

Scope and Content

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.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by material type.

Preferred Citation

Women’s Ambulance and Transportation Corps Collection, MS 66, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Processing Information

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

Box-folder 1:1

Correspondence, 1940 August 15 – 1942 June 24

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from Hiram Johnson, U.S. Senate, 1940 August 15

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from J.B. McLees, clerk of San Diego County, 1940 October 17

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from Samuel C. May, State Council of Defense, 1940 November 19

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from the secretary of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, the White House, 1941 January 11

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from Frank Bane, the Advisory Commission to the Council of National Defense, 1941 January 28

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from Florence Kerr, Federal Works Agency, Work Projects Administration, 1941 January 29

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from H.B. Lewis, Office of the Commanding General, 1941 February 21

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from Glenn E. Hays. U.S. Marine Corps, 1941 March 13

Box-folder 1:1

Confidential letter from George H. Rhodine, U.S. Flag Association, 1941 March 14

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from Ed. V. Izac, House of Representatives, 1941 April 24

Box-folder 1:1

Letter to General Donovan, Adjutant General at the State Capitol, from Ed. V. Izac, House of Representatives, 1941 April 24

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from the executive committee of the Parachute Circus, 1941 November 13

Box-folder 1:1

Telegraph from Ed. V. Izac, House of Representatives, 1941 May 9

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from Carl H. Goodrick, Harbor Defense of San Diego, 1941 May 20

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from H.C. Gearing, U.S. Naval Training, 1941 October 23

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from Jack S. Massey, Ocean Beach Kiwanis Club, 1941 November 18

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from Mrs. John Jacob Rogers, House of Representatives, 1941 December 30

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from Culbert Olson, Governor of California, 1941 December 31

Box-folder 1:1

Letter from Ed. V. Izac, House of Representatives, 1942 June 24

Box-folder 1:2

Incorporation Documents and Rules and Regulations, 1941 January 21 – 1942 January 26 and undated

Box-folder 1:3

Newspaper Articles, 1940 September 17 – 1941 November 6

Box-folder 1:4

Miscellanea, 1941 October 19 – 1941 May 28 and undated

Includes:

Souvenir program from first annual Parachute Circus of San Diego; California State Guard enlistment form; and a bill from the House of Representatives establishing Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps for service with the Army of the United States (HR 4906).