THE W.R.N.S. COLLEGE AND CRYSTAL PALACE TRAINING.

It is just a year since I found myself waiting on the threshold of Ashurst - later the W.R.N.S. College - to be admitted into the probationary training which was to decide whether or not I was to be an officer in the W.R.N.S. I think there were two thoughts in my mind when I knew I was to have the chance of the training. They were both in connection with "escape." The first was escape from the past, which had held much responsibility. I knew I should escape temporarily from this, and I did, for it is nothing to be responsible for oneself alone after having been responsible for countless others! And for three splendid weeks I was not unduly responsible for anyone but myself.

The second kind of escapee was much less defined. It was an escape to something I think that from the very first I knew I should find something which I desired greatly, but what it was I did not know.

It may have been partly this unknown desire in oneself which made the training at the Crystal Palace so extraordinarily inspiring. One was ready for the best, and one certainly found it. It was to be found in every detail of the day, from the strictly routine life, which was such an enormous relief to those of us who were tired of organising, to the quite definite inspiration which came to us through different channels. First we were freed of our old shackles which left us absolutely free for flight.

To most of us the routine of the training was enjoyable as well as bracing. We rose at 6.45 on the insistence of the unit officer, who was responsible for both the deeds and misdeeds of all in her dormitory. It was no light honour thrust upon one to be elected a unit officer. Probationary officers were always deadly sleepy in the mornings, and one got many more kicks than ha'pence for dragging them out of bed in time to have all the beds stripped in the correct fashion and all their shoes cleaned by 7.45, when two whistles sounded for breakfast and for the first dormitory inspection.

After breakfast was finished there was concentrated essence of rush. We had to get beds made so that they would pass inspection (no light task), leave dormitories tidy, and have ourselves on the parade ground by 8.45. Then came inspection and divisions, and we were marched off for our physical training instruction, which lasted about half an hour. This was quite severe exercise if done thoroughly, and I think was an exceedingly good preliminary to the squad drill which followed, and which continued with a short "Stand easy" till 12 o'clock. During "Stand easy" in my training we all rushed to the Y.M.C.A. canteen and drank either hot Bovril or malted milk. I believe in later trainings buns were eaten in the Red House. We loved our hot, stimulating drinks at the canteen and our shopping's in "Bond Street," which really sold all we seemed to need and which was visited during this period.

I suppose very few of us had any idea of the intensity of "inspection" until we stood under Captain Jones's eagle eye. We really did think our shoes were clean till we were hauled out of the ranks and shown what "clean" really meant. And we certainly thought that we were turning smartly and coming to attention in a decent manner until we were told exactly how badly we did it. And we were told!

 All who had the Crystal Palace training realise what Captain Jones and Clr.-Sgt. Coggin did for us, and I am sure that most of us have felt increasingly thankful as time has gone on for the severity and thoroughness of this side of our training.

At 12.45 we had lunch, which never seemed large enough, though the Q.S. repeatedly told us we were over-eating our ration. At 1.45, with shoes newly cleaned (and what an effort that second cleaning was) we returned to the parade ground or the Palace itself and had half an hour's semaphore practice. This was followed in my training by another hour's squad drill. Then came tea, and never could anyone have wanted food and drink more than we did. I believe one training (I think it was the last) once ate nine loaves of bread at this meal! At all events, we always ate all we could lay hands on, beginning with "treacle bread," and we never stopped till the table was bare.

After tea came lectures, one or two as the case might be; mess, in which ordinary naval routine was followed; another lecture or study time, 8.30 to 9.30, and last of all divisions. Baths, bed, generally more food provided by a dormitory mess, and heavy, contented sleep rounded off our day.

All this was the practical side of our training, and it helped us enormously both physically and morally. Part of it was also tinged with something finer, something more definitely inspiring.

 One of the sources of inspiration was in the R.N. Depot itself, and in the life that it contained. Poised on the uplands, with a marvellous view of the mist-entangled distance, we stood, and began, even physically, to see the vision and get nearer to the "real things" of life. And the life within the Palace, the training of thousands of bluejackets, the intensity of purpose, was deeply impressive. As officers in training we were allowed a large share in this life, we took part in divisions and parades, we shared instructors with officers and bluejackets, and were often proud of being compared, most favourably, with them.

To those of us who were ready for big things to happen, they did happen. It was a very great thing to be marching in rhythmic tread with many others. It was equally satisfying to feel that as such was expected from us as from our fellowmen in training. It was splendid to join with them in saluting the hoisting of the White Ensign on Ascension Day.

 All this prepared us well for the more definitely inspiring side of our training, the lectures which were given to us by our senior officers. Some of these were splendid, and were remembered by us through long, lonely and very responsible months which followed our passing out of the rank of probationary officers into the confirmed rank of a gazetted officer of the W.R.N.S. stationed in one of the outposts of the British Isles, with many difficulties to face and problems to unravel. Several officers in my training sent out alone, without any other "Wren" officer to help them, and separated from their Divisional Directory by an eight hours' train journey.

If the inspiration of the training had not been deep and true, it would not have stood the test to which it was put later, and I think it did stand this test in very many cases. The vision was put before us; it was ours if we would have it. To those of us who were hungry, it came as a great fulfilment of desire, a desire to see further and realise more fully.

 I have met this spirit several times since the blessed days of our training were ended. I have seen it in very junior as well as very senior officers. I have also found it in ratings.

 It would be interesting to use a psychological test among W.R.N.S. officers trained at the Crystal Palace, in order to find out what each one thinks of as the most impressive remembrance of their training. In such a test of mental association and reaction a word is uttered and the victim has to answer immediately by naming the feeling, etc., which that word conjures up.

For example, the word "Sea" is uttered. One victim may reply "Cornwall," another "Waves," another "Blue," according to their mental association. My test would be "The W.R.N.S. officers training." Some would, I suppose, reply "Drill," others "Hunger." I feel sure that, conscious or unconscious, I should reply "Inspiration!"

R.W.