Themes

The Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) formed to meet the manpower shortages of the Royal Navy during World War One. These women, known as Wrens, replaced servicemen based in shore positions. They undertook an increasing variety of roles as the war progressed.

Wrens were predominantly based in British shore bases during World War One. These bases stretched from Plymouth in the south west to Lerwick in the Shetland Isles. Overseas divisions were also located in Ireland and in the Mediterranean at Malta, Gibraltar and Genoa.

The WRNS disbanded in 1919 but reformed at the outbreak of World War Two in order to again free the Navy's men for sea service.

The Admiralty decided not to send Wrens overseas during the opening phase of World War Two. The WRNS Director, Vera Laughton Mathews, was in favour of changing this policy. The Navy and WRNS discussed female substitution of seamen serving in the Signal branches in November 1939, but without result.

Further discussions on sending members of the WRNS overseas took place in 1940. The Navy eventually decided to send the first WRNS draft overseas in January 1941. This draft consisted of 20 Chief Wren special Wireless Telegraphy operators and a Second Officer. They were to set sail for Kranji W/T station in Singapore. A second draft soon followed to Singapore.

Photo of WRNS Singapore draft (RNM)

Overseas service for Wrens then opened up in Washington, with the British Admiralty Delegation, and in Gibraltar during 1941. Locations such as South Africa, the Mediterranean and Levant, northwest Europe, Hong Kong, Australia and Sri Lanka soon had WRNS drafts as well.

A torpedo hit 'SS Aguila', which held a WRNS drafts sailing to Gibraltar, in 1941. All 22 Wrens onboard were lost. Wrens travelled in HM ships when going overseas from that point onwards, although this could not prevent more losses.

The women sometimes undertook duties onboard the ships during the course of the voyage. Wrens serving abroad were volunteers prior to the end of March 1943.

Liability for foreign service then became a condition of mobile service for WRNS officers after this date, followed by mobile ratings aged over 21 in September 1943. Ratings under age 21, as long as they had parental consent, and immobile Wrens could also volunteer. Wrens undertook overseas service for a period of from two to two and a half years.