Intensive Course for "Wrens”

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 4, 5 January 1940, Page 5

Intensive Course for "Wrens”

TRAINING COURSE AT ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE LONDON, Dec. 1. To absorb the real naval atmosphere for their work, newly commissioned officers and probation officers of the Women’s Royal Service are taking a fortnight’s intensive courso at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. They are studying in the big block of buildings usually occupied by the Naval Staff College. The senior officers normally doing their “lessons” in strategy and tactics in that building are now at work in the school of practical experience. But the naval officers, sublieutenants of all branches, and some lieutenants, are still studying for examinations in the other buildings of the old royal palace by the Thames, so R.N. and W.R.N.S. all meet together at mess in the famous Painted Hall. The “Wren” officers are being passed through the courses in groups of SO, half of them already commissioned and in uniform, others on probation and still wearing “civvies” with brassards. Their instruction includes lectures on naval discipline and naval history, hygiene and control of troops, as well as general administration. Enlistment Suspended There are about 2300 “Wrens” already enlisted, and no more can be taken for the moment. Tho Portsmouth naval depot has 900 of them, with 00 to 70 women officers in charge of them. The work they take over from the regular naval ratings is varied. Sonic are secretarial, some are in motor transport, and some are cooks. The youngest girls start as messengers, and some learn that in tho Navy any message is a signal, even if it is not sent by officers. Storekeeping is another of the sections taken over by “Wrens,” and it is odd to think of women dealing with the issue of anchors and cables, bales of rope and other stores sacred to the boatswain.

The women officers at tho Royal Naval College are widely diversified in type. Two at least served in tho ranks of the W.R.N.S. in tho last war, and one had a double row of medal ribbons, including a Russian decoration for service with an ambulance unit on the Warsaw front in 1914. She is to-day a first officer, responsible for the -whole of the “Wren” detachment at one of Britain 's largest naval depots.