WOMEN OF THE WOMEN'S AUXILIARY SERVICE (BURMA) AT SHILLONG [Allocated Title]

Women of the Women's Auxiliary Service (Burma), known as WAS(B)s, provide a mobile canteen service to British and Indian troops near Shillong, Assam, India.

WAS(B) women dishing out refreshments to soldiers at a mobile canteen; they wear the sword and shield patch of the 14th Army. The soldiers are from a Scottish regiment. Two WAS(B)s talk with a British corporal. A sign reading 'WAS(B) No. 8'; the sign moves away from camera to reveal the sign is actually painted on the back of a mobile canteen based on a Chevrolet lorry. 'Canteen Services (India)' is painted on the side. A parked mobile canteen; a WAS(B) servicewoman hurries into the driver's seat and drives away. A group of seven WAS(B)s; one is noticeably older than the rest. A covered jeep comes to a halt and the WAS(B) driver gets out. She talks to another WAS(B) standing by a parked canteen lorry. They are joined by two more women. A queue of British troops at a canteen; the man at the front of the queue piles up tins of food. Another man in the queue wears the patch of 36th Division (two overlapping rings) on his bush hat. View from inside the van; an Indian soldier purchases a small item (a bar of chocolate?). A canteen van drives away; it is marked 'Mobile Canteen No. 2. Provided by Barwani State'.

35mm