1 |
Captain, it’s a pleasure. I am Katharine Furse. But please call me Katharine. I am working on setting up the first Women’s Royal Naval Service. Or shortly WRENS. |
2 |
I am looking for someone to help with the logistics and material shipments. We are just beginning but it’s clear now that we need more people to help with this task. |
3 |
The First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Eric Geddes, approached me with this task. The Navy is in need of additional personnel since the Great War broke out. So he came up with the idea of hiring women. |
4 |
No, women will not fight. We will provide support for the soldiers so that more men are freed for the fighting duty. Women will serve as cooks, clerks, writers, and similar. |
5 |
Until now I worked for the Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment. I don’t have much knowledge about Naval organization and customs. Can you recommend some books on this topic I can buy? |
6 |
We will need to build barracks for the new recruits. If possible, the women should stay living at home but should they need to relocate, adequate living quarters must be available. |
7 |
I have been working on the basic regulations of WRENS with my colleagues. Tomorrow I have planned a visit to the Royal Naval College in Greenwich. Can you arrange the transportation? |
8 |
We will set up the first training center near the Crystal Palace in London. The premises will need to be adjusted first. The hall is old and we need to fix the outer walls using metal scaffolding. |
9 |
After the exterior of the hall is fixed, we can start amassing some furnishing. I will have to leave that to you. I am being named director today in an official ceremony. We will talk tomorrow. |
10 |
The WRENS is now officially established. I must now come up with the uniforms so we can have them made before we get our first recruits. We should stick with the royal blue color I think. |
11 |
The recruiting will start this week. We must go through official channels which does not make me very happy. But at least we can have one of ours on the selection board. |
12 |
The first few positions to be filled are at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich. They need waitresses and cooks in the canteen. I have promised to take care of the food supplies too. |
13 |
I have tried hard to ensure the women of WRENS will get paid the same as their male counterparts. It was one of the conditions for me to take the role of the Director. |
14 |
Our standards for recruiting are high and we had to send many applicants home. But we need to build a good reputation. I feel quite exhausted after all this. I should take an evening to relax. |
15 |
I need to go check the construction of the living quarters for our new recruits. We will need them very soon. Come and join me. We might need to deliver some material too. |
16 |
Many of my former colleagues from the Red Cross will be joining the WRENS. Nurses, doctors, and some typists too. We will need to get typewriters soon to finish the WRENS memorandum. |
17 |
Our first recruits are ready to begin the training. The course is three weeks long and lectured at first by Naval officers and then by our own instructors. We will need to pay both of course. |
18 |
Unfortunately, the living quarters are still not complete. They still need more materials to finish the construction. For now, our recruits will be accommodated in a hotel. |
19 |
The living quarters will be finished soon and we can start delivering the materials for furniture. However, we will need to secure other accommodation too in different locations. |
20 |
The first recruits will be finishing their training tomorrow. I have planned a small party to welcome them as the first generation of WRENS members. Help me get some refreshments. |
21 |
We are in need of drivers so we will be opening a mechanics course. Not many women who apply can already drive a vehicle so we will have to teach the practical part too. |
22 |
We have hired more recruits. I did not expect such a large interest in joining WRENS. We must order another batch of uniforms for our new members. |
23 |
With more recruits, we had to open up new courses. I am looking for some experienced naval officers to teach the training courses. Do you have anyone you can recommend? |
24 |
Until now, the headquarters of the WRENS were in the main building of the Admiralty. But I would like to occupy a separate building. As our numbers grow so does the need for space. |
25 |
The war is getting serious. Our Navy needs more WRENS members to support their soldiers. I have urged to speed up the recruitment process but we will need more money too. |
26 |
A large part of our new members will be substituting men working in the Royal Navy Barracks and also in the Commander in-Chief’s Office. We need to get them the necessary equipment for their work there. |
27 |
The motto of WRENS is “Never at sea”. However, if the Navy needs us aboard a ship, we won’t hesitate to comply. Several of our members were requested as support in the fleet. |
28 |
We will be taking over the Telephonic Exchange and the message rooms too. We need to get our members acquainted with these technologies as fast as possible. |
29 |
Another group is needed at the HM Dockyards to help fix the mine nets. We will need more metal wire to fix those nets. And don’t forget some sturdy gloves for our girls, safety is important. |
30 |
I have received several commendations for the work of our members. I am proud of my girls. Anyway, another delivery of food supplies to the barracks canteen is due today. Please, take care of it. |
31 |
More men are required to man the ships of the Royal Navy. My Wrens can transport them to the dockyard but most of the ships are already at sea. You can transport them to the fleet, right? |
32 |
I had hoped our women would be safe but no one is safe in a war. HMS Leinster was torpedoed yesterday, one of our members, Ms. Carr, was stationed aboard the vessel. |
33 |
I am responsible for arranging the funeral for Ms. Carr. It makes me deeply sad but the customary funeral wake must be observed too. Can you arrange some food? |
34 |
We won’t try to save on the funeral costs of one of ours. We will use the best marble for the headstone and she will receive the same honors as any male member of the Royal Navy. |
35 |
We need to send condolences to Ms. Carr’s parents. And I hope to arrange some money for them to receive. It cannot diminish the anguish of losing one’s child, but it’s something. |
36 |
Today I have some good news. Exceptionally good news. The armistice was signed and the war is over. I am glad we managed to avoid further losses among our ranks. |
37 |
It was long discussed how would our organisation continue after the war. It seems the WRENS is no longer needed like before. We will organize a thank you banquet for all our members. |
38 |
I don’t want to think of another war like this ever happening. But should it come to that, WRENS will be ready. We may go back behind our gas stoves, but we will be ready to defend our country too. |
39 |
I hope that one day women will be able to join the Royal Navy and be of equal standing as our male marines. It may be too soon for that now but we have already made an important step. |
40 |
I have ordered a special medal made for all WRENS members. They deserve to be recognized for their service just like any member of the Royal Navy. |
Final |
Thank you for your help. Don't forget your reward, captain. |