WRCNS Spells Wrens

Women officially join the Royal Canadian Navy

During the 1940s, the Canadian military began recruiting women for non-combat roles. In the eyes of the military, every job that could be taken over by a woman freed a man for combat. It was the first time women were officially allowed to serve Canada in uniform, and more than 50,000 women signed up. All three branches of the military developed their own women’s forces - The Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWACS), the Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division (WDs), and The Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Services (WRCNS, or Wrens).

7,100 women joined the WRCNS. Modeled after the British Women’s Royal Navy Service, there were 39 trades in which a Wren could train. A woman might serve in Canada, the United States or in the United Kingdom. Unlike the other branches, the WRCNS were considered part of the navy’s regular forces; this meant that female officer’s rank and authority was equal to their male counterparts.

The WRCNS were disbanded in August 1946. Women were allowed to enlist in the mid 1950s, but were still restricted to more traditional trades in medicine, communication, logistics, and administration. In 1989, women could finally fill all military occupations, with the exception of submarine service, which opened to women in 2001.

More information:

• The Canadian Encyclopedia: Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service