WRN WW1

[alfisherjr]

Would appreciate it if someone would provide photos, drawings, or other information about WRN uniforms (officer and enlisted, dress and working, fore and aft) during WW1. I've found precious little either on the Internet or otherwise about these women.

Al

[michaeldr]

Hi Al,

The women's part of the RN was formed in 1917 and originally known as the WRNS, but they quickly became the Wrens.

There is a description of the Wren uniforms given by David Wragg in his 'Royal Navy Handbook 1914-1918' [Published in 2006 by Sutton Publishing Ltd, ISBN 0-7509-4203-7]

"Wren uniforms for officers were basically feminine versions of the officers' navy blue uniform, a jacket with collar, a shirt and tie and a skirt. For officers there was a tricorn hat of black velour. The cap badge was also a variant of that worn by the RN, but with the letters WRNS inserted between the crown and the anchor, and blue instead of gold embroidered badges. The jacket buttoned right over left, reflecting the custom. Cuff stripes were pale blue with a diamond replacing the curl for the six grades of director (director, deputy director, assistant director, deputy assistant director, divisional director and deputy divisional director), but principals, deputy principals and assistant principals had rings without a diamond. Skirts were plain and just above ankle length. Blue braid and cap badges were used to economise on gold as wartime austerity began to bite.

The officers' uniform has been described as incongruous, but the ratings' uniform was far worse, with a sack-like serge frock buttoned almost to the throat, and a broad serge belt. The high neck was unpopular and no doubt uncomfortable, and was soon modified to have a deeper neck with a white flannel front and square collar, initially without the white lines. Worst of all was the hat, made of gabardine and worn with a white cover in summer; it was shapeless and floppy, despite rows of stitching to give the brim some stiffness.

All ranks wore black stockings and shoes.............

Officer ranks in the WRNS were as follows

One thick and one standard ring with diamond - Director

One thick ring with diamond - Deputy Director

Four standard rings with diamond - Assistant Director

Three standard rings with diamond - Deputy Assistant Director

Three standard rings without diamond - Principal

Two standard rings, with half-width ring between, with diamnod - Divisional Director

Two standard rings with diamond - Deputy Divisional Director

Two standard rings without diamond - Deputy Principal

One Standard ring without diamond - Assistant Principal

One half-width ring above three buttons - Quarters Supervisior"

There are six photographs accompanying the article.

regards

Michael

[ARABIS]

Al,

WRNS ratings, WW1.

Section leaders wore the crown & crossed anchors badge of a petty officer and leaders the anchor of a leading seaman, both worked in blue.

Branch badges in blue were:-

Household Worker - Scallop shell.

Motor Driver - Three spoked wheel.

Signals - An arrow crossed by a lightning flash.

Storekeepers, Porters and Messengers - Crossed keys.

Clerical Staff - Crossed quill pens.

Postwomen and Telegraphists - Envelope.

Technical Workers - Crossed hammers.

Others - Star.

From, Badges and Insignia of the British Armed Forces, by Cdr. W. E. May.

David.