Women’s Service Remembered

Over Easter weekend ex-members of the Women’s Royal New Zealand Naval Service (WRNZNS known as Wrens) held a national reunion in Auckland marking the Service’s diamond jubilee.

The Easter Service at the Naval Chapel of St Christopher, Devonport was followed by a Remembrance Service conducted by the Principal Chaplain, Navy Pauline Law and a wreath laying at the RNZN’s Memorial Wall.

"The service was to remember those women from the Women’s Royal New Zealand Naval Service who gave loyal and faithful service and are no longer with us," says Chaplain Law.

The WRNZNS was formed during the Second World War in 1942 to supplement the staffing of shore establishments. It reached a wartime peak of 519 women, serving in communications, intelligence, and on small boat duties.

At the duration of the war they were disbanded, although some were retained until December 1946.

Mrs Margaret Burrow dips the Ex-WRNZNS banner over the wreaths laid at the Devonport Naval Base Memorial Wall during the diamond jubilee reunion at Easter.

In 1947, due to manpower shortages, former members of the WRNZNS who volunteered were offered short-term engagements, a scheme that was found to be not entirely successful. In 1949 an Act of Parliament was passed making the WRNZNS a permanent part of the Navy.

With the increasing independence of women the need for a separate women’s service decreased, and in 1977 the WRNZNS were absorbed into the Royal New Zealand Navy.