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.

First Wrens Going Overseas

This August 1943 photograph captures the first members of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service going to Great Britain.

Just over 500 Wrens went to much-coveted postings in Britain. They initially replaced members of the Women's Royal Naval Service on loan to the Royal Canadian Navy in London, and subsequent reinforcements were posted to Greenock, Scotland, Plymouth, England, and Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Roughly one in six Wrens served outside Canada; in addition to Britain, over 500 Wrens were posted to Newfoundland, which was not yet part of Canada, and some 50 were sent to the United States.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19850304-021