AusMilitary.com Formerly AusSpecialForces.com             
AusSpecialForces.com
 Ausmilitary.com: Of this, we are certain.   Home •  Contact •  Advertising •   Bookmark and Share  •  Become a Supporter !
It is currently Thu Dec 12, 2024 12:04 am




Some gave all. We will remember them.






 
  

All times are UTC + 10 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: First Female to enlist in the Royal Australian Navy.
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 2:22 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:26 pm
Posts: 387
Location: Anywhere the Sun Shines.
Served in: RAN 1980 - 2012 Currently RANR
It is widely accepted that the enlistment of females into the RAN began when the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) was established with 14 females in 1942.
These women were trained by Florence McKenzie as wireless telegraphists.
The Royal Australian Navy enrolled the first 14 girls in April 1941 at HMAS Harman Wireless Telegraphy station.
Later on 1 October 1942 they were sworn into the Navy as enlisted personnel with enlisted status.
This date is regarded as the formal foundation date for the organisation and was widely believed to be the date of the first females enlisted in the Navy.

However a chance encounter whilst looking through the Tasmanian Museum in Hobart has revealed that these 14 ladies were "gazumped" by a six year old girl some 21 years earlier.

Image

It just goes to show that although "rules and regulations" are in place they can be bent to suit a purpose when necessity deems it so. Interesting to note on young Nancy's certificate of enlistment is her official number being listed as "000001"

Image

So her "Naval Career" lasted all of 8 days, but she can rest assured that she was the first.

Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: First Female to enlist in the Royal Australian Navy.
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 6:20 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2004 8:10 pm
Posts: 18008
Location: Loading the shot
Served in: 8/9RAR & 6RAR
Didn't attempt the swim test, talk about slipping standards!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: First Female to enlist in the Royal Australian Navy.
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 7:18 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:26 pm
Posts: 387
Location: Anywhere the Sun Shines.
Served in: RAN 1980 - 2012 Currently RANR
digrar wrote:
Didn't attempt the swim test, talk about slipping standards!


Good point, but maybe Tiger snake envenomation was grounds for deferment way back then?


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: First Female to enlist in the Royal Australian Navy.
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 8:18 pm 
Offline
 

Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 12:50 pm
Posts: 829
And spent pretty much her whole time in lounging around the RAP...f***ing linger... :smt011

[:D


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 

 

All times are UTC + 10 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Brotherhood never was like it;
Friendship is not the word;
But deep in that body of marching men
The soul of a nation stirred.

-- A.B. "Banjo" Patterson,
    'Australia Today', 1916


AusMilitary.com is Australia's leading military discussion forum. Originally formed back in 2004 as AusSpecialForces.com as a forum for, by, and about the Australian Special Forces, the forum has since widened it's scope to include all members and branches of the ADF as well as our honoured guests and allies from overseas. Despite some sections being open to the public, the forum still enjoys the membership and advice of respected members of the Special Forces and Special Operations Forces both local and international, as well as those from elite specialities in the conventional forces. From recruit training right up to SF selection tips - if it's frank and honest advice you're after, you'll find it here.