LOOK AT LIFE - GIRLS AHOY

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: MGH 6627).

Synopsis

Recruitment film for the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) filmed at various locations in 1960.

Film opens with a brief history of the WRNS (popularly known as the Wrens), the women's branch of the Royal Navy, originally formed in 1917 and disbanded in 1919, and reformed in 1939 at the outbreak of the Second World War. New recruits are seen arriving at an unidentified naval base for basic training, where they are provided with their first uniforms, and schooled in the ways of the Navy, including personal grooming. After completing their basic training, the recruits are then sent for further specialised training. The commentator notes that at the time of filming, there are no less than 25 different disciplines on offer to the new recruits, including the following positions: secretary, switchboard operator, radio mechanic, pay officer, supply officer and cook. A number of these positions are shore bound, at bases such as RNAS Yeovilton. A Wren mechanic is seen working on a Hawker Hunter at Yeovilton, preparing the aircraft for flight, as a pair of Wrens assigned to the Meteorological Office compile weather charts for that day's flying duties. A number of naval aircraft are seen on the airfield, including Hunters, de Havilland Sea Vampires, and Hawker Sea Hawks. Wrens also perform motor transport duties, and a Wren is seen collecting a senior naval official from his ship, and driving him to a naval function. Wrens are also seen off duty, enjoying a visit to HMS Victory in dry dock at Portsmouth. Dame Elizabeth Hoyer-Millar, Commandant of the WRNS, and her successor, Dame Jean Davies, are shown meeting senior naval officials at the Admiralty in London. Wren cadets are seen in action at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, and at work and play in Malta. One of the many duties of the WRNS is to teach aircrew basic equipment drills in case they are forced to ditch in the sea, and a Wren is shown demonstrating how to inflate a rubber dinghy in the event of an emergency at sea, and is "rescued" from the "drink" by a search and rescue helicopter.

Notes

Comment: The "Look At Life" series was produced by the Rank Organisation and screened in Odeon cinemas across Britain in the 1960s before the main feature of the day.

 

Titles

  • LOOK AT LIFE - GIRLS AHOY
 

Technical Data

Year:
1960
Film Gauge (Format):
16mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Sound
Footage:
400ft (ca)
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB
Production company
Rank Organisation