This world War Two Girls Training Corps 5 Year Long Service Enamel Badge is part of our War and Weaponry Collection.
The first Girls Training Corps units were formed in 1941. The GTC's purpose, as with other cadet organisations at the time, was to prepare young people for service to their community and to support in the war effort upon reaching adulthood. For the Girls Training Corps this meant training in military drill in preparation for potentially serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. The GTC was open to girls aged 14 to 20, and its motto was "To serve and Train for Service".
Activities included learning to act as bicycle couriers, learning morse code, aircraft recognition, gymnastics, homemaking, craft-work, public affairs, land navigation, learning first aid, marksmanship, firefighting, and assisting with air warden duties. During the war and after GTC companies and members were active in volunteering in the community, such as volunteering as "sitter-ins" in hospitals.