Frances Townsend, a member of Betjeman Belles WI, writes to us to say:
I served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service during the 1970s and joined the service at HMS Dauntless, Burghfield, near Reading. This was a Part 1 training establishment but only for the years 1946-1981. During this period, 40 Divisions ( classes) per year ‘passed out’ there. Each Division had a photograph taken, which means there is the potential for 1360 photographs. These women were the trailblazers for the modern day Royal Navy where women now command ships, fly aircraft and serve at sea on ships and in submarines.
Two of Frances’s friends are working to create an archive of these photographs for both historical and social reasons. Adding photos to the archive is bringing about reunions, moral support and easing loneliness for a lot of women now of advancing years. Thus far, only 650 photographs have been collected, 49% of what’s possible.
A lot of women are not on social media and so the team is trying to spread the word widely and ask that if anyone reading this was in the Wrens, and has a Divisional photograph, to please take a photo of it and send it to: ddpwrens@gmail.com.
If possible, please include dates and Division name.
Hi ..I joined the WRNS in March 1968 & went to HMS Dauntless for basic training. I was in Warspite Division. RN No. 124750
I opted for Radio Operator training, which I completed at HMS Drake in Plymouth.
I was then posted to HMS Neptune, Faslane & worked underground in the Comcen. I then rec’d a posting to X Section, HMS Mercury, Hants.
I do have a Warspite Dvision Photograph which I will try to find.
Hello, i heard that you are looking for wrens that joined from 1948 to 1980. well here goes .I joined Dauntless on the 5th October 71 as Trainee. left 4th November to HMS seahawk. then Victory, Daedalus , then ships co Dauntless in 74. last draft was to SHAPE 74. left June 76 on marriage . hope this helps you ⚓️🍷x
Hello, Eileen! This is from a post from three years ago, so I’m not sure if anyone is still looking for information. However, the contact listed in the 2021 blog post is ddpwrens@gmail.com. It is not a WI project. Thank you!
Wendy Cox (née Rogers) 24th August 2025
Hello, Fellow Wrens. I joined the WRNS in September 1963. Starting at HMS Dauntless, then on to HMS Mercury to train as a Radio Operator, then on up to MOD working underground, then to Greenwich for Officer Training. Then sent to St Budeaux Plymouth, then HMS Dryad, and finally HMS Raleigh. Had a wonderful time!
I will try to dig out my Dauntless photo for you.
Dear Wendy,
Thank you for your message. Are you a member of a WI and where are you located? We hold Speakers Audition Days and your career sounds fascinating. If you are in Cornwall many of the WIs would love to hear your story, if you are interested at speaking at a WI let me know email apile@cornwallwi.org.uk and I will pass your details on with your permission.
Kind regards,
Avril Pile CFWI Trustee