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.

WRCNS Uniform, Captain Adelaide Sinclair

This uniform belonged to Adelaide Sinclair, Director of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS) from 1943 to 1946.

Sinclair was the first Canadian woman to wear the four stripes of a captain (jacket sleeve) in the Royal Canadian Navy. Appointed director of the WRCNS in September 1943, Sinclair held the position until the service's disbandment in 1946. The red and white ribbon beside Sinclair's jacket lapel (top right) is for the Order of the British Empire, awarded in January 1945 for her work in organizing and directing the WRCNS.

Uniform, Service Dress, Captain Adelaide Sinclair

Service dress hat, CWM 19750344-025
Service dress jacket, CWM 19750344-024
Shirt, CWM 19750344-261
Necktie, CWM 19750344-031
Service dress skirt, CWM 19750344-009