Wren working on a switchboard. England, 1942. - 8x10 photo "The Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS; popularly and officially knownas the Wrens) was the women's branch of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy. First formed in 1917for the First World War, it was disbanded in 1919, then revived in 1939 at the beginning ofthe Second World War, remaining active until integrated into the Royal Navy in 1993. WRNs includedand air mechanics. Wrens were formed in 1917 during the First World War. On 10 October 1918,nineteen-year-old Josephine Carr from Cork, became the first Wren to die on active service,when her ship, the RMS Leinster was torpedoed. By the end of the war WRNS had 5,500 members,500 of them officers. In addition, about 2000 members of the WRAF had previously served withthe WRNS supporting the Royal Naval Air Service and were transferred on the creation of theSecond World War, with an expanded list of allowable activities, including flying transportplanes. At its peak in 1944 it had 75,000 people. During the war there were 100 deaths. Oneof the slogans used in recruiting posters was "Join the Wrens—free a man for the fleet." Itremained in existence after the war and was finally integrated into the regular Royal Navy in1993 when women were allowed to serve on board navy vessels as full members of the crew. Inon an operational warship.[1] Before 1993, all women in the Royal Navy were members of the WRNSexcept nurses, who joined (and still join) Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service, andmedical and dental officers, who were commissioned directly into the Royal Navy, held RN ranks,and wore WRNS uniform with gold RN insignia. Female sailors are still known by the nicknames"wrens" or Jennies ("Jenny Wrens") in naval slang." Pickid: 441079