Weedon’s ‘typing pool’ and the ATS girls

Long before the digital age there was a world of paper.

Armies generated mountains of it in written orders, dockets, requisition ‘chits’ and more.

Nothing happened at The Depot and across what is now called ‘military logistics’ (making sure stuff goes where and when it should) without a long paper trail.

And without computers it was all processed by hand.

The Second World War meant The Depot’s peacetime clerical staff and existing office accommodation required massive expansion.

In 1941 a prefabricated block, Building 45, was erected at the south east corner below the main gate (now bricked up its outline can be seen to the right of the Visitor

Centre, Building 90).

It housed clerical staff, with civilian women alongside more than 400 women of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS).

It was dubbed ‘the typing pool’ which did not convey its vital role for the war effort.

Work round the clock was demanding and high standards were maintained by ATS NCOs and officers.

Building 45 was made of prefabricated concrete with an asbestos roof and was very cold in winter and hot in summer.

Outside toilets were built against the perimeter wall, separate ones for officers and other ranks.

The ATS girls were quartered in two blocks of ‘The Pavillions’ and in wooden huts.