Rare Pictures of Queen Elizabeth II Serving in World War II

Rare Pictures of Queen Elizabeth II Serving in World War II

Vincent Everyday

The Queen may be head of Britain's armed forces in little more than name, but her role in the military has not always been purely ceremonial.

Princess Elizabeth's adolescence took place in the shadow of World War II and, with the country in crisis, she did not shy away from her royal duties.

Her first solo public appearance came at the age of 16, with a visit to the Grenadier Guards. By then she had already been named Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment - effectively the link between the infantrymen and the Royal Family.

  

And by 18, changes to the law meant she could act as a Counsellor of State, meaning she would be one of five royals holding the fort in the event of her father going abroad or becoming incapacitated.

Shortly after that, in February 1945, she signed up with the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service and was given the service number 230873.

She joined as an honorary Second Subaltern but must have impressed in her duties as a driver and mechanic, as she rose to the rank of honorary Junior Commander within five months.

The future Queen gets to grips with a wheel as Junior Commander Mildred looks on.

Princess Elizabeth in full uniform poses next to an Austin K2 Ambulance.

Princess Margaret (left) is shown in more typical royal attire as she chats to her older sister next to a 'Tilly' truck.

The Royal Family look on as a sergeant attempts to start the Tilly. Junior Commander Violet Wellesley, great niece of the Duke of Wellington, can be seen on the far left.

The Queen (left) studies a map during her ATS training in 1945.