THE LONDON DIVISION.           

DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR: HON. MRS. E. M. NORTHCOTE

We know that the wren is noted for its power of song, but the species that now always comes to mind when this word is mentioned - the species garbed in that blue uniform which we loved at once for all it stood for and now love still more for its associations - these "Wrens" have never been among those to raise their voices abroad. They have been too well brought up by their big silent brother, and have had so thoroughly impressed on them that “Though speech is silver, silence is golden.”

But there comes a time in most lives when the old maxims fail, and when the old truths do not convince, and the "Wren" has decided that for once speech is golden. She wants to tell how that big brother of hers for whom she has always had such an admiration, held out a helping hand in the early days of her work; she wants to give a souvenir to women of those happy days when they served the Navy so proudly; she wants to leave a record for the men and women of tomorrow to show that the women of to-day did not fail them.

In the following pages a record has been set forth of the many different occupations in which women have been allowed to replace men at naval bases during the last two years. In the domestic arts they have once more demonstrated their skill; in the world of pen and paper they have not only been admitted to ordinary clerical duties, but have been employed on important confidential work, or again, have replaced experienced naval writers on the intricate pay ledgers.

As motor drivers, mine-net workers, storekeepers, orderlies, they have played an important part, and in other realms where custom in the past has not placed women - as wireless telegraphists, mechanicians, electricians, boiler-cleaners  they have proved their worth.

A clear sighted man, George Meredith, wrote many years before the war the following words: "What Nature originally decreed, men are but beginning to see, that women are fitted to most of the avenues open to energy, and by their entering upon active life, they will no longer be open to the accusation men so frequently bring against them of their being narrow and craven."

Much water has flowed under the bridge since then, a flood swelled by the tears of sorrowing peoples, and in their grief and need the eyes of men have been opened wider, and women have been given a chance of proving the truth of the great poet's words.

Of all the wonderful developments in the sphere of women's work during the war, those women who have served with the Navy or the Army may surely be counted as the greatest pioneers.

Who would have believed five years ago that the day would ever dawn when women, in naval uniform, would be going about the great naval ports, carrying out their duties in a matter-of-course way, seemingly unconscious of the fact that even the war had wrought no greater marvel?

And the indescribable thrill of seeing them! ... it is drill time at a big naval training depot; a bird's eye view of the parade ground shows thousands of bluejackets preparing for their part in the world's drama, and among them, looking so small in that multitude, one squad of "Wrens," turning, marching, halting, with that tense concentration of purpose peculiar to women when their interest has been roused - a symbol of present unity and of future service.

To those women who entered in the right spirit, the life has been one of inspiration. Their outlook has widened, and the necessary discipline has strengthened their purpose. The knowledge of work well done has given them a confidence in themselves which they have never known before - it was such a new thing for many of them to feel themselves important in the public life, not only allowed to serve, but really needed – and for success, confidence is half the battle.

Then again, a communal life, with its rubs and trials, has taught them forbearance, together with the sympathy and understanding before which difficulties vanish as frost before sunshine – above all, it has taught them true comradeship, which halves life's burdens and multiplies its joys.

O you daughters of the West!

O you young and elder daughters! O you mothers and you wives! Never must you be divided, in our ranks you move united,

Pioneers! O pioneers!

For the end is not yet. Those women who during the war have come forward to join the ranks of the pioneers have taken upon themselves, together with new honours, new responsibilities. All eyes are now turned to women as a great new force to be reckoned with in all public questions. Men know now what women can accomplish in times of stress and emergency, but there is even greater work to be done in the world of peace. It is for the women of the Women's Services to lead the way.

Swift! To the head of the army! - swift! Spring to your places,

Pioneers! O pioneers!

Wrens on Leave in London

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LONDON, not being a naval base, cannot claim as many interesting features as some of the other Divisions, and the work done in a number of the small sub-Divisions has been mainly clerical. The following Sub-Divisions, however, appear to be of especial interest: 20th Squadron Armoured Cars, Anti-Aircraft Defence Corps, War Registry, Anti-Gas Work, Motor Training School, Crystal Palace, Admiralty Garage, and Greenwich.

At the 20th Armoured Car stations at Oldbury, Newbury, and Dollis Hill, all of which are now closed down, "Wren" ratings were employed as motor drivers, clerks, cooks, etc. The women did not do any actual work on the tanks, although at one time it was suggested that they should do the loading up of the stores, munitions, etc.

The stations themselves, however, were most interesting, and it was always a thrilling moment when inspecting a store or galley to be confronted with a party of tanks disporting themselves in a muddy field.

When the Anti-Aircraft Defence Corps was handed over to the R.N.V.R. we were called upon to provide skilled telephonists for the headquarters of the corps at Redhill.

These ratings carried on during all air raids, calling up the gun stations, passing through the orders for the gun-fire and barrage, and they invariably acted with great coolness and self-control.

At the War Registry, where all the confidential coding and de-coding for the Admiralty is done, we gradually replaced naval writers and civilian women, till now, at the end of the war, there are 38 non-administrative officers and 16 senior writers in this department. The work is monotonous, and needs great accuracy and attention, as well as, of course, great secrecy.

These members received especial mention from their Lordships for their work, just after the signing of the armistice.

We were asked to supply a number of officers and ratings to learn the use and construction of the various kinds of gas masks for the Navy. These members went through a course of training at the chemical factories in East London. Instruction included demonstrations by practical experiments in gas chambers and training in repairing and testing gas masks.

These members were afterwards drafted to Naval bases, where they had entire control of this work

It was soon discovered that there was need for a motor training school if the standard for driving in the W.R.N.S. was to be kept up. At first testing on gate-change cars, Fords, and motor bicycles was all that was attempted, the applicants either being passed as efficient drivers or refused altogether.

Later on a regular course of instruction was started for those who already possessed some motor knowledge. This included lectures on running repairs, the care of cars, as well as a fortnight's driving tuition.

THE FIRST "WRENS" IN UNIFORM.

Enrolled at the R.N. Depot, Crystal Palace, in January, 1918.

At the R.N. Depot, Crystal Palace, the big training centre for the R.N.V.R, a large number of W.R.N.S. ratings were employed - in all the various offices, the stores, post office, and as waitresses in the Officers' Club. All ratings before starting work were given a fortnight of drill and instruction in semaphore and naval matters. The ratings here began work in January, 1918, and were the first "Wrens" in uniform. Early in the year they were inspected, together with the W.R.N.S. officers then in training, by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Eric Geddes; the Second Sea Lord, Admiral Heath; and the Director.

A very successful course of training wireless telegraphy was carried out at this Depot, and in the qualifying examination the W.R.N.S. ratings took over important wireless work at the Admiralty, where they keep the same watches as the men, taking their turn on all-night work. The others were drafted to Aberdeen and Stockton-on-Tees. Two successful courses were also held in training senior writers for the responsible work of keeping naval pay ledgers, and a course in signalling had been arranged when the armistice intervened, and this training was cancelled.

In January, 1918, the first "Wrens" were enrolled as motor drivers. Starting with ten women, there are now seventy motor drivers in London. They do all the motor transport work for the Admiralty, with the exception of driving the heavy lorries, only a small staff of men being kept on for night work and for the bigger repairs. The hours are very long, and the work often dull, involving much dreary waiting on the cars in all weathers.

At Greenwich 40 ratings gradually took over the cooking for the RN. College under the chef, who did not at first welcome them very warmly, but later could not say enough in praise of the women. Each rating passed through every department in turn, including the checking and taking in of the rations and stores and the actual butcher's work and cutting up of the meat. Ideal quarters were given to the "Wrens" in one of the lovely old buildings of the college.

Two large air stations in the London Division employed our members for many months until finally they were taken over by the W.R.A.F., most of the women transferring and continuing the same work.

At the Battersea experimental workshops, women were employed in drawing, tracing, and preparing designs for all kinds of new machines, guns, etc. They also prepared maps for use both abroad and in the flying schools at home. The work was of a highly confidential nature. On the large aerodrome at Chingford women worked in the construction and repair shops, also in the salvage sheds.

The above is only a very brief summary, and there are necessarily many interesting matters which there is not space to mention.

E. NORTHCOTE