Recruiting for the Women's Royal Naval Service will begin next week. There seems to be little doubt that this new service, already known as the "Wrens," will prove the most popular of all; and its director is Dame Katharine Furse, whose work with the V.A.D., of which she was until lately Chief Commandant, won her the love and respect of many thousands of women.
The "Wrens" will be comparatively few, compared with the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps; at present only from 10,000 to 12,000 are called for, and it is unlikely that any will be wanted for foreign service. The whole formation will be based on that of the W.A.A.C., whose Army Council Instruction has afforded Dame Katharine Furse much help in drafting her Fleet Orders. The pay of both services will be the same, and the rates of the W.A.A.C. are now being revised with a view to certain increases. The description of the ratings, however, will be different. The director's assistants will be called deputy and assistant directors, and the women corresponding to petty officers will be known as principals and section-leaders.
An attractive kit for all ranks has been designed. The director and her assistants will wear a navy blue coat and skirt, with brass naval buttons and graded rings of Patrick's blue on the sleeves to denote rank; a black cocked hat with a handsome badge of Patrick's blue and silver, and a white blouse and collar and black tie will complete the uniform, which will be purchased out of the grants made to officers. The ranks corresponding to petty officers will wear a pilot jacket with black naval buttons, and skirt cut in neat straight lines. They will also wear a navy blouse and a round sailor's cap, with black band with W.R.N.S. in gold. The rank and file will have a blue serge coat-frock of good navy serge, a blue linen sailor collar, a petty officer's cap, and a big navy overcoat. Strong boots and stockings will also be supplied.
Many different types of workers will be needed for the "Wrens," and, though they will be recruited entirely for home service for the duration of the war, there will not be "soft jobs" for anyone; and there will be a good deal of night work. Chauffeurs, wireless telegraphists, clerks, cooks, and waitresses for officers' mess, workers at air stations and for repairing and cleaning aeroplanes will be wanted. Probably training will be given in certain branches. They will not work in touch with the Army. Four or five hostels will be opened for recruits almost immediately.
Recruiting headquarters will be at 15, Great Stanhope Street, but it is particularly requested that no applications be made there. Announcements will appear next week in The Times giving the date when applications can be received, and then, as in the case of the W.A.A.C., women will be recruited through the Employment Exchanges and through the existing W.A.A.C. huts, where Fleet Orders may be obtained.
Already there is a breezy atmosphere of cheery comradeship in the temporary offices of the Wrens, whose young officers are women who have already done responsible work.
