| Women's Royal Naval Service |
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Information AboutWomen's Royal Naval Service |
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Members included Cooks , Clerk s, Wireless Telegraphist s, and Electrician s. It was formed in 1917 during the First World War , and by the end of the war had 5,500 members, 500 of them officers. It was disbanded in 1919. It was revived in 1939 at the beginning the Second World War , with an expanded list of allowable activities, including flying transport planes. At its peak in 1944 it had 75,000 people. During the war there were 100 deaths. One of the Slogan s used in recruiting posters was "Join the Wrens -- free a man for the fleet." It remained in existence after the war and was finally integrated into the regular Royal Navy in 1993. Before 1993, all women in the Royal Navy were members of the WRNS except Nurse s, who joined (and still join) Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service , and medical and dental officers, who were commissioned directly into the Royal Navy, held RN ranks, and wore WRNS uniform with gold RN insignia. RANKS AND UNIFORM The WRNS had its own ranking system, which it retained until amalgamation into the Royal Navy in 1993. Ratings' titles were suffixed with their trade (e.g. Leading Wren Cook, Chief Wren Telegraphist). Wrens wore the same rank insignia as their male equivalents, but in blue instead of gold. The "curls" atop officers' rank stripes were diamond-shaped instead of circular. Wren uniform consisted of a double-breasted jacket and skirt, with shirt and tie, for all ranks (although similar working dress to the men could also be worn). Junior Ratings wore hats similar to those of their male counterparts (although with a more sloping top). Senior Ratings (Petty Officers and above) and officers wore tricorne hats with a white cover. All insignia, including Cap Badge s and non-substantive (trade) badges, was blue. LIST OF DIRECTORS WRNS
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