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Overseas fun
Overseas fun
Many Wrens had the opportunity to serve part of their time overseas. World War Two gave the greatest number of Wrens the chance to enjoy foreign service.
Wrens usually stayed in self-contained hotels or hostels, which sometimes created a sense of seclusion. This was partly in order to shelter the women from the local community in which they were based. Fears about the unwanted attention of local men towards the women meant that sentries or Royal Marines sometimes guarded the Wrens' Quarters at night. Regulations stated that Wrens could not venture out at night alone.
Look at photos of Wren's quarters abroad
Most Wrens remember overseas service as a positive experience though.
Off duty time involved playing sport, such as swimming, sailing, tennis and hockey, as well as going on day trips to see the sights and enjoying picnics. Service personnel and civilian ex-pats often held dances in the evenings.
Pass for Royal Naval Beach at San Stefano in Egypt (RNM)
Wrens serving in places such as Kenya even spent their leave involved in big game shooting, shooting zebra, leopards, hippopotami and flamingos on the soda lakes.
Groups such as the Kenya Women's Emergency Organisation arranged hospitality for the Wrens. They received invitations to visit local homes, took trips to see farming life in the surrounding regions, and became acquainted with local traditions and people.
Read a poem written for a Wrens' concert party held in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka during World War Two.
To discover how people in the WRNS provided entertainment for naval personnel, select Next
