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Second World War
The Navy Ashore  - Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service

The Second World War saw close to 7,000 women in naval service. Founded in 1942, the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS), often called the "Wrens", performed a wide variety non-combatant roles ashore, both in Canada and abroad.

Uniform, Leading Wren Lorna Stanger
Uniform, Leading Wren Lorna Stanger

This uniform belonged to Lorna Stanger, who served in Britain as a photographer with the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service.

The cap tally on her hat bears the letters "HMCS" for "His Majesty's Canadian Ship", which identified the wearer as a member of the Royal Canadian Navy but maintained security by concealing the identity of the ship or shore establishment in which they served. The right sleeve of her uniform carries a badge indicating her trade as a Leading Photographer (top), along with two chevrons (bottom) testifying to two years of completed wartime service.

Uniform, Service Dress, Leading Wren Lorna Stanger

Cap , CWM 19790488-001
Jacket, CWM 19790488-002
Skirt, CWM 19790488-003

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Commander Dorothy Isherwood Inspecting Wrens, Halifax
WRCNS Uniform, Captain Adelaide Sinclair
Presentation Cigarette Case, Captain Adelaide Sinclair
Uniform, Lieutenant-Commander Eleanor McCallum
WRCNS Acceptance Letter to Eleanor McCallum
HMCS Conestoga
WRCNS Summer Work Dress
Commission, Frances Alley
WRCNS Summer and Winter Uniforms
WRCNS on Parliament Hill, Ottawa
HMCS St. Hyacinthe Sweatshirt
WRCNS Training at HMCS St. Hyacinthe
Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service Pennant, HMCS Stadacona
WRCNS Quarters, Halifax, 1945
Unit Office, Naval Headquarters, Ottawa
Wrens Listening for German Radio Transmissions
Training Certificate, Evangeline Harrold
Plotting Room, Naval Service Headquarters, Ottawa
Combat Simulator Ship Model
Forecastle
First Wrens Going Overseas
Uniform, Leading Wren Lorna Stanger
Jenny Whitehead at Work
Canadian Naval Staff in London on V-E Day