WO Agnes ‘Lennie’ Maiden, the first woman to be promoted to the highest rank as a senior sailor passed away aged 82. WO Maiden served in the Women’s Royal Australian ...
WRANS
Australian Naval History on 1 January 1985
Position of Director WRANS abolished ...
Australian Naval History on 1 July 1979
The WRAN officer rank titles were replaced with male officer rank titles. The Navy began training its WRAN officer cadets at RAN College at Jervis Bay with their male counterparts. ...
Australian Naval History on 23 December 1950
Blair Bowden was appointed the first Director of the permanent WRANS with the rank of First Officer. ...
Australian Naval History on 18 June 1950
The decision was announced to reestablish the WRANS due to pressure on naval manpower from Cold War commitments. Initial categories were Telegraphist, Writer, Sick Berth Attendant, Stores Assistant, Cook, Steward ...
Australian Naval History on 2 July 1948
The hull of the former HMAS VENDETTA was scuttled off Sydney Heads. Last three WRANS, Betty Eastick, Shirley Bell and Margaret Bell, leave the service. The Last RANNS members leave. ...
Australian Naval History on 2 September 1946
The WRANS were officially disbanded although the final members did not leave until 1947 ...
Australian Naval History on 21 April 1945
WRAN Olwyn Crouch was assigned to HMAS Adamant in Fremantle as the ships official driver. She did sea time up and down Gage Roads. Olwyn was the only WRAN assigned ...
Australian Naval History on 18 January 1943
First training course for WRAN officers began at Flinders Naval Depot. Following the inaugural enlistment of women as members of the RAN in October 1942. The Australian tanker MOBILUBE was ...
Australian Naval History on 1 October 1942
The Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) was formed coinciding with the abolishment of civilian status for the wireless telegraphists already working for the navy. The WRANS numbers grew to ...
Australian Naval History on 24 July 1942
Approval to form a Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service of 580 personnel (280 telegraphists plus 300 other duties) was granted ...
Australian Naval History on 8 May 1942
HMA Ships AUSTRALIA and HOBART continued to patrol the western part of the Coral Sea, to prevent Japanese transports moving towards Port Moresby. US air attacks in the eastern Coral ...
