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1970 - 1989
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Wrens in the '80s
Wrens in the '80s
John Nott, Secretary of State for Defence, issued a government report on the Armed Forces in 1981. The 'Nott Review' would set in motion events that eventually resulted in the full integration of the WRNS with the Navy.
The Navy was required to reduce its manpower from 80 000 to 60 000 in ten years, and the number of ships from 60 to 40. It seemed the sensible way forwards, with a diminishing Defence budget, and the costs of manpower and ship building increasing.
Wren Air Mechanic marshalling aircraft at HMS Heron, 1978 (RNM)
The Navy and WRNS drastically cut their recruiting figures but this halted at the outbreak of the Falklands War in 1982. The conflict suggested to many decision makers that Britain should not be so hasty in reducing its world role.
Even so, personnel continued to leave the service quicker than could be recruited despite Britain's victory.
Many male naval personnel cast doubts as to the value and future of the WRNS but the 1980s witnessed the closer integration of the WRNS and Navy.
The cuts in manpower and need to make maximum effective use of all naval personnel ashore to support the Fleet broadened the scope of employment of WRNS personnel.
Wrens received identical professional training in the branches which provide shore support, making them interchangeable with their male counterparts, as evident during the Falklands crisis when Wrens were moved at short notice. The women took over the operations cells in order to release men for sea duty.
Third Officer Engineer inspecting squadron aircraft brakes at RNAS Culdrose, 1982 (RNM)
WRNS personnel could attach to ships in refit and in the shore support team for seagoing squadrons, serve at sea for short periods with helicopter units, man Operations Rooms, serve with Royal Marines in Northern Ireland. They could, in fact, respond to any task ashore.
Wrens worked in all shore establishments in Britain and were also in evidence abroad, especially in the NATO environment in Belgium, Italy, Norway, Denmark and Portugal, as well as Hong Kong, Gibraltar and so on. The also had individual exchanges with the Army or Royal Air Force.
Wren Air Mechanic servicing an aircraft engine, 1983 (RNM)
Living conditions also became much more integrated during the 1980s, both from a messing and social viewpoint. There was greater personal freedom, which placed more reliance on self discipline.
There were no longer restrictions in how Wrens spent their off duty time and, in certain conditions, Wrens could choose to live in private accommodation. Although some viewed that these less restrictive rules regarding accommodation made it harder for the women in the service to develop a sense of comradeship.
