Ex Wrens Association Southland Branch
Record Group
Identifier: A0286
Overview
These records descibe the history of the EX-Wrens' Association, Southland Branch, during the period 18/11/1953-10/12/1959, and its continuation as a social group until 1998.
Dates
- Majority of material found within 1953 - 2009
Biographical / Historical
CONTEXT:
The Royal New Zealand Navy became a navy in its own right on 1/10/1941. Then, given the number of vacancies occuring after sailors and ratings were transferred to active service, it became apparent that women should be employed to fill the resulting vacancies in administration. Mis Ruth Herrick was appointed Director of the Womens Royal Naval Service, New Zealand, with Miss F.H. (Helen) Fenwick as Deputy. These two women were required to form an effective auxilliary women's service, renamed "Women's Royal NZ Naval Service (WRNZNS), within a very short time.
Many civilian employees joined WRNZNS as 'Wrens' on a volunteer basis. Those volunteers not Wrens, moved to other branches of the Navy after Wrens had been trained to replace them, because of the principle 'that uniformed and civilian employees should not be mingled in any branch of naval service or administration'. So female emplyees in Navy Office and Naval Dockyard remained civilians, those who worked specifically in naval establishments were Wrens.
By 1943 it was realised that to be effectively employed in a fighting service, they needed to be mobile and not be limited by times of day. So a close imitation of the British model was adopted. Once the formation of the Wrens became public, there was no shortage of recruits. But, the high standard of selection made recruitment difficult - many applicants were unsuitable, insufficiently qualified or below medical standard.
The WRNZNS were disbanded by the government in 1946. But, after the salilors' strike in April 1947, a large number of men left the service, creating a shortage of personnel. So the WRNZNS were reformed in May 1947, and reformed permanently in 1951, and continued to serve in shore duties until 1977, when WRNZNS were absorbed into the RNZN, on the same basis as their male counterparts.
Reference:'Womens Royal New Zealand Naval Service 1942-1977', RNZN Communications Association.
Many civilian employees joined WRNZNS as 'Wrens' on a volunteer basis. Those volunteers not Wrens, moved to other branches of the Navy after Wrens had been trained to replace them, because of the principle 'that uniformed and civilian employees should not be mingled in any branch of naval service or administration'. So female emplyees in Navy Office and Naval Dockyard remained civilians, those who worked specifically in naval establishments were Wrens.
By 1943 it was realised that to be effectively employed in a fighting service, they needed to be mobile and not be limited by times of day. So a close imitation of the British model was adopted. Once the formation of the Wrens became public, there was no shortage of recruits. But, the high standard of selection made recruitment difficult - many applicants were unsuitable, insufficiently qualified or below medical standard.
The WRNZNS were disbanded by the government in 1946. But, after the salilors' strike in April 1947, a large number of men left the service, creating a shortage of personnel. So the WRNZNS were reformed in May 1947, and reformed permanently in 1951, and continued to serve in shore duties until 1977, when WRNZNS were absorbed into the RNZN, on the same basis as their male counterparts.
Reference:'Womens Royal New Zealand Naval Service 1942-1977', RNZN Communications Association.
Extent
1 box(es) (Box 1)
Language of Materials
English
- Title
- Ex Wrens Association Southland Branch
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Invercargill City Libraries and Archives Repository
