WRNS: The Women’s Royal Naval Service

by Neil R. Storey

From cooks and clerks to weapons analysts and air mechanics, generations of women have served in the Wrens (Women's Royal Naval Service or WRNS). The Royal Navy was the first of the UK armed services to admit women during the First World War with the purpose of freeing up a man to go to sea by giving his job to a trained female worker. Disbanded in 1919, the Wrens were reinstated on the outbreak of the Second World War. This book focuses on the work and experiences of Wrens during the two world wars, introducing the kinds of jobs they performed and the places where they served. It contains poignant accounts from the women themselves, along with contemporary images of the Wrens in action and modern photographs of their uniforms, badges and insignia.

Genres: Nonfiction

64 pages, Paperback

Published April 18, 2017

About the author

A graduate of the University of East Anglia, Neil R. Storey is a professional historian and lecturer specialising in the study of the impact of war on British society in the first half of the 20th century.

Neil R. Storey is an award-winning social historian specialising in the impact of the First and Second World Wars on British society. He also has a long-standing interest in gothic horror, is the creator of the popular 'Grim Almanac' series published by History Press, and has published numerous works on dark history. He has been in publication since 1989 and now has a canon of over 50 books and has had great reviews in The Times and Daily Mail. A graduate of University of East Anglia he guest lectures for both academic and social audiences across the UK and internationally. He has written countless articles for national periodicals and frequently appears as a guest expert on factual television and radio programmes such as: Who Do You Think You Are?, Classified Britain, The Buildings that Fought Hitler, and Help! My House is Haunted.

Reviews

[Liselotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the use of photos throughout this little book, but the writing was just 'meh'. It wasn't bad, and I did learn quite a bit, but it wasn't anything special, you know what I mean? A solid 3 stars from me.

[Charis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good introduction to the WRNS, very informative and the original pictures are a great introduction. Book serves its purpose as being a first learning point to then send you on to more In depth books

[Elle Jay Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read, providing a summary of the WRNS