World War II: Unicorn’s ‘WRENS’
Ships are traditionally feminine, and are always referred to as ’she’ (see below!) but they are also usually ‘manned’ by a male ship’s company. Unicorn had an unusual distinction during the Second World War as she was very largely ‘manned’ by the Womens Royal Naval Service, the ‘WRENS’
Dame Vera Laughton-Matthews, the Director WRNS, with Captain Willie Keay outside HMS Unicorn during WWII
These Wrens were partly ship’s company and partly training classes, as Unicorn served as a training school for communication Wrens, who lived ashore in the Mathers Hotel in Whitehall Crescent (for many years the sadly derelict Tay Hotel, but about to be transformed into one of the world-renowned Malmaison Hotels).
To this day there are displays and photographs onboard explaining Unicorn’s unusual feminine connection, and we are always delighted to meet one of her old ship’s company Wrens who may be able to indentify names in the photographs. Ex-Wrens are also welcome to make contact through our Old Hands contact form.
The Dundee Wrens formed a lively and active association after the War, and although the association officially ‘decommissioned’ in 2004, their comradeship is such that the group continues to meet, on the last Tuesday of each month in the Queens Hotel, as organised by the indefatigable Babs Rickmann.
Why is a ship called ’she’?
A ship is called a ’she’ because there is always a great deal of bustle around her; there is usually a gang of men about; she has a waist and stays; it takes a lot of paint to keep her good looking; it is not the initial expense that breaks you, it is the upkeep; she can be all decked out; it takes an experienced man to handle her correctly and without a man at the helm she is absolutely uncontrollable.
She shows her topsides, hides her bottom and, when coming into port, always heads for the buoys!
