OLD DEVONPORT . UK
www.olddevonport.uk
 

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth
Webpage created: January 19, 2019
Webpage updated: January 19, 2019

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THE ROYAL NAVY IN OLD DEVONPORT

WOMEN'S ROYAL NAVAL SERVICE, PLYMOUTH COMMAND

The Women's Royal Naval Service was re-formed in April 1939 using the slogan "Join the Wrens - free a man for the fleet".

Members of the Women's Royal Naval Service at Devonport
pose for a group photograph at the Flagstaff, 1940.
From the author's collection.

Mrs Euphemia Violet Welby, widow of the late Captain Richard Martin Welby RN, took up her appointment as Port Superintendent of the Women's Royal Naval Service, Plymouth Command, at the Royal Naval Barracks, HMS "Drake", on Monday June 12th 1939.  Only women who lived within Plymouth and were between the ages of 18 and 50 years were permitted to apply to join the unit and she was responsible for selecting the lucky ladies.  Her Second Officer was Miss Heather P Gibson, born April 2nd 1911 (possibly in Mitford, Norfolk), who lived with her at Belmont House, Stoke.

The Plymouth Command later became the Western Approaches Command.