GIRLS FOE THE NAVY

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 13773, 16 October 1942, Page 3

GIRLS FOE THE NAVY

PLAYING A SILENT PART True to the traditions of the “Silent Service,” little is heard of the women in the Navy. Yet women are playing an important part in this Service, states a Sydney message. The R.A.N. has enlisted women as telegraphists, and Women’s Volunteer Naval Reserve ratings are employed as watch-keeping coders, clerks, and typists, while a special section, trained as visual signallers, is standing by, waiting for a callup in this capacity. There are in Sydney one junior naval and two adult training organisations for women. Of these the W.V.N.R. was the first to commence actual naval training. Many of the members have enlisted in other services, such as the A.W.A.S. and W.A.A.F., as expert telegraphists, clerks, transport drivers. and sick-bay attendants. There is also a section known as the “Depot crew.” This is comprised of girls in reserved occupations ,who cannot volunteer for full-time service, but do their training in case of emergency, or act as instructors.