Themes

The Navy's People

• Naval Lives

• In Focus: Women in the Navy

  • The story of the WRNS

  • The Image of Women in the Navy

  • Free a Man for the Fleet

  • Camaraderie

• In Focus: Recreation and Time off

• In Focus: Discipline and Punishment

Learning

• How To: Understand Naval Medals

1946 - 1969

Towards a permanent Women's Royal Naval Service

After World War Two the Navy began a process of demobilisation. All service personnel, including Wrens, faced release from the Royal Navy.

Unlike the after previous war, the Navy retained some Wrens and allowed the Service to continue. In 1949 the WRNS became a permanent service - although the jobs on offer for the girls were much more limited than they had been during the War.

Nevertheless, women were finally starting to create a lasting role for themselves within the Royal Navy.

Trainee Wrens parade training at HMS Dauntless, 1947. (RNM)

Article highlights

• Towards a permanent Women's Royal Naval Service

• The return to civilian life

• The postwar view of women

• Acceptance of service women

• Permanent status
  

• Steamlined service

• 1960s recruitment booklets

Read the story of the WRNS

• 1917 - 1919 The first WRNS formed during World War One

• 1938 - 1945 World War Two reformation

• 1946 - 1969 Post war permanent service

• 1970 - 1989 Towards integration

• 1990 - 1993 Women at sea

• Women in the Navy today Equality and limitations in the Navy

Related External Links

• BBC Website - Peoples War