Themes
1946 - 1969
Article highlights
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Steamlined service
Streamlined service
The service became smaller, more streamlined and professional throughout the postwar period and 1950s.
The Service adjusted to new social attitudes, which stressed a return to more typical gender roles, and limitations began to appear for service women.
Jobs that were deemed as not being 'ladylike', such as boats' crews, despatch riders and blacksmithing, were no longer available and returned under the control of the Royal Navy.
WRNS recruitment booklet (RNM)
The WRNS was still a very necessary part of the Navy, even though the more interesting jobs available to Wrens during the war had by now largely disappeared.
Around 24 categories covering technical, clerical, semi-clerical, supply, medical and household branches remained, with the use of new technology calling for new skills.
Recruitment poster for cooks (RNM)
It also became more difficult to find exciting posts for WRNS personnel abroad during this period. Some Wrens had the opportunity to work as assistants to Naval Attaches serving abroad, such as at the naval base in Malta. There was also some expansion of WRNS employment into the new NATO Headquarters abroad.
Photo of Wren serving a sailor in the Naval clothing store at RNAS Daedalus (RNM)
There were heavy cuts in Defence expenditure in the late 1950s and several naval bases closed, particularly air stations. There were even fewer overseas postings at this time.
This was a tiresome period for the WRNS, with few exciting opportunities to entice potential recruits. However, this was also the beginning of a period of gradual consolidation and integration into the Royal Navy, which continued throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
