Radio Girl. By David Dufty. Allen and Unwin, Sydney 2020. Paperback of 301 pages. rrp $29.99. ISBN 978 1 76087 665 4 This biographical work details the life of Violet ...
WRANS
Mine warfare roles for Australian Women during the Second World War
By Mike Turner During WWII many Australian women worked in new defence support roles. The mine warfare roles were manning Mine Watching Posts, manufacturing moored mines and manning the RAN ...
Women’s Emergency Signalling Corps: Forerunner of the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service
By Dr J. K. Haken The Women’s Emergency Signalling Corps (WESC) was formed by Mrs. Florence Violet McKenzie in March 1939 at 9 Clarence Street, Sydney, months before WWII was ...
Women in the RAN: The Conflict of Equality
By MIDN Jaycob Humphreys, RAN We have had other essays on this topic by female officers, but this perceptive discussion from a recent New Entry Officer Course student, is by ...
Women in the Royal Australian Navy
By MIDN M. S. SCHIMMEL, RAN – WINNER OF THE NAVAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRIZE Midshipman Mariella Savanna van der Riet Schimmel hails from Perth where she commenced a science degree ...
Women in the RAN – a Personal Perspective
Obituary: Captain Barbara MacLeod AM
“To achieve the marvellous,” wrote Tom Robbins, “it is precisely the unthinkable that must be thought”. When a 24 year-old school teacher from Capel in Western Australia went by train ...
Belconnen Naval Wireless Station and HMAS Harman 1939-1996
Australian Naval History on 1 September 1991
The term WRAN in female rank titles was abolished. (*Actual day of month unknown) ...
Australian Naval History on 1 January 1985
Position of Director WRANS abolished ...
Australian Naval History on 3 August 1984
All women joining the RAN became liable for sea service ...
Australian Naval History on 1 July 1983
Commander June Baker appointed as Executive Officer HMAS Penguin (the first woman to be appointed as a RAN Executive Officer—Second in Command. (*Actual day of month unknown) ...
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 September 1946
The WRANS were officially disbanded although the final members did not leave until 1947 ...
Australian Naval History on 18 January 1943
First training course for WRAN officers began at Flinders Naval Depot. The Australian tanker MOBILUBE was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine I-21, 60 miles from Sydney. ...
Australian Naval History on 1 October 1942
Foundation date of WRANS. First 14 girls were sworn into the Navy as enlisted personnel with enlisted status. RANNS established with 23 qualified nursing sisters in RAN hospitals and Miss ...
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 ...