Women's Royal Naval Service

Women's Royal Naval Service
source
Unit name	Women's Royal Naval Service
Dates	1917–1919, 1939–1993
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Navy
Type	Women's service
Role	Naval support
Nickname	Wrens

Women's Royal Naval Service. The Women's Royal Naval Service, universally known as the Wrens, was the women's branch of the Royal Navy. First formed in 1917 during the First World War, it was disbanded in 1919 before being revived in 1939 at the outbreak of the Second World War. It continued as a permanent service until its personnel were fully integrated into the Royal Navy in 1993, marking the end of a distinct women's naval service.

History

The service was established in November 1917 under the direction of its first director, Dame Katharine Furse, to free up Royal Navy personnel for sea duty during the First World War. After the Armistice of 11 November 1918, it was disbanded in 1919. The looming threat of Nazi Germany prompted its reformation in April 1939, with Vera Laughton Mathews appointed as director on the eve of the Second World War. During the war, Wrens served in critical roles across the British Empire, including at Bletchley Park and during the Normandy landings. Post-war, it became a permanent part of the Royal Navy, with its members gradually taking on more roles, including duties at sea from the 1990s, leading to full integration.

Organisation and ranks

The Wrens were a separate service but were administered by the Royal Navy. The service was headed by a director, who held a rank equivalent to a Royal Navy rear admiral and was a member of the Admiralty. The rank structure was distinct, using titles like "Wren" for ordinary ratings, "Leading Wren," and "Chief Wren." Officer ranks included "Third Officer," equivalent to a sub-lieutenant, up to "Commandant," equivalent to a captain. This separate hierarchy was maintained until integration, when Wrens adopted standard Royal Navy ranks.

Roles and duties

Initially, Wrens were confined to shore-based duties to release men for service at sea. Their work was vast and varied, encompassing roles as drivers, telegraphists, plotters, and cooks. During the Second World War, their duties expanded significantly to include highly specialized work such as operating anti-aircraft direction finders, maintaining aircraft at Fleet Air Arm stations, and performing crucial intelligence analysis at Bletchley Park and the Government Communications Headquarters. Later, they took on roles in weapons analysis, air traffic control, and as divers.

Uniforms and insignia

The original uniform, designed by Dame Katharine Furse, was a practical navy blue jacket and skirt. The iconic "Gloria" hat, a tricorne style, was introduced in the 1930s. Rank insignia for officers was displayed on shoulder boards and sleeves, using blue cloth and gold wire, distinct from the gold lace of the Royal Navy. Ratings wore insignia on their sleeves. The uniform evolved over time but remained distinctly different from that of male sailors until integration, after which standard Royal Navy uniforms were adopted.

Notable members

Many distinguished women served in the Wrens. Its first director, Dame Katharine Furse, was a veteran of the Voluntary Aid Detachment. Her Second World War successor, Dame Vera Laughton Mathews, led the service through its greatest expansion. Notable wartime members included Dorothy Mary Gish, a plotter involved in the Dieppe Raid, and Christian Lamb, who helped prepare maps for the Normandy landings. Renowned novelist Daphne du Maurier served as a Wren, and Mary Lloyd was a notable post-war director. Queen Elizabeth II served briefly in its sister service, the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service.

Legacy and successor organisations

The Women's Royal Naval Service was formally disbanded in 1993 when its members were fully integrated into the Royal Navy under the Naval Service Act 1993. This followed a similar integration of the Women's Royal Air Force into the Royal Air Force. The legacy of the Wrens is preserved by the Association of Wrens, a charitable organization. The integration allowed women to serve on warships and in all roles, including as commandos and on nuclear submarines, a direct evolution from the foundation laid by the service.

Category:Women's Royal Naval Service Category:Royal Navy Category:Military units and formations established in 1917 Category:Women in the British military