60^th Anniversary of the Womens Royal Canadian Naval Service
WRCNS [WRENS]

It is with great pleasure the Wren Association of Toronto provides a year of  celebration for 60 years since founding the Wartime Unit of the WRCNS[Wrens]

The following events are in in form of a diary for the year

Up to DECEMBER 2002

What a wonderful year! 

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Wren Association of Toronto

February 16, 2002  Jean B and husband Steve B were sponsored by HMCS York to attend the Garrison Ball at Royal York Hotel

 Each Militia Unit sponsored a veteran and Jean B was the only woman veteran to be so honoured.

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March 23, 2002  Janet W, was a Guest of Honour and Speaker at Junior Ranks Mess Dinner at HMCS York.

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April 6,2002  Muriel McA and husband Jim McA  attended the Wardroom at HMCS York, as guests of Chiefs and Petty Officers honouring the Wrens  for their 60^th anniversary.

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 April 28,2002 Wrens [and Friends of HMCS Haida and HMCS Athabaskan ] were at HMCS Haida for the annual Memorial for loss of the Wartime ship HMCS Athabaskan.

HMCS Haida , Ontario Place, Toronto

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April 28,2002 London Wrens participated in the Parade at RCNA Huron Goderich and the also attended a Battle of Atlantic dinner at HMCS Prevost, London

and received a scroll from the City of London.

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May 3, 2002  HMCS York ,The Wrens were honoured at the Dinner and Dance –Battle of Atlantic Weekend

HMCS York, for

57^th Anniversary of Battle of the Atlantic and

60^th Anniversary of founding

Womens Royal Canadian Naval Service

Wrens performed a Nautical Rag

And presented a memento to ships company

HMCS York is the Reserve Naval Base on Lakeshore Boulevard

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May 5, 2002, HMCS York to HMCS Haida, the annual Battle of Atlantic Parade with the Ships company of HMCS York and members of the Naval Community, from HMCS York to HMCS Haida along the waterfront  [ Ontario Place, Toronto]

Ceremony at HMCS Haida

Betty B and June R took the Salute.  Shelagh P read the lesson.

Margaret H and a member from NOAC called out the Lost Ships Roll

To a slow eight bells.

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May 5,2002 at Hamilton, Ontario with

 Burl-Oaks Naval Veterans , Battle of the Atlantic Parade

at RCN Naval Ships Memorial, Spencer Smith Park
Dulcie E placed a wreath on behalf of the all Wrens.

And

May 5,2002  at Windsor Ontario

Betty P  and member of RCNA Windsor Admiral Hose Branch placed a wreath at the Battle of Atlantic in honour of the 60^th anniversary of the WRCNS

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May 11,2002 Annual Inspection

Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps “Vanguard”

 at HMCS York

presentation by Wren Association of Toronto,

Award to the outstanding female cadet

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May 25,2002 The Annual Wren Spring Tea and Sale and a Celebration of the 60^th Anniversary of the founding of the

 Womens Royal Canadian Naval Service WRCNS[WRENS]

At the Naval Club of Toronto, 14 Hayden Street

The Association received a scroll from the City of Toronto

A number of Wrens and friends and members of the Naval Community were served tea and  goodie plates and participated in an afternoon of companionship and good fun.

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June to August, The Toronto Wrens perfecting the Jenny Wren Chorus and interpretations for the Edmonton Reunion

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The Parliament of Canada, issued in the House, before the House of Commons rose for the summer recess to send sincere thanks and congratulations to the Wrens on their 60^th Anniversary.

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July 17/02 with the Civic strike finished the Wrens had their annual picnic at Toronto Island.[Hanlan’s Point]

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Congratulations to the US WAVES celebrating their 60^th anniversary on July 30.2002

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WRENS  CELEBRATE 60 YEARS OF THE FOUNDING OF THE WOMEN’S ROYAL CANADIAN NAVAL SERVICE

From the early training at HMCS Conestoga at Galt in 1942 to the present day  women in the Canadian Forces Sea Element we salute all the women who served during WW2 , Korean War, post wars, and who are now serving in the Canadian  Naval Service.

AUGUST 2002

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 August 7/02 ,19 Wrens were on the GO train at invitation of Burl –Oaks Naval Group at Hamilton for a celebration with the Burl-Oaks Naval Group in Hamilton, for a great gathering and lunch.

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August 17,2002 Wren Association paraded in Honour Section Warriors’ Day Parade

Canadian National Exhibition,Toronto

Parade from Princes Gate

Led by the Naval Reserve Band

 Approx 21 Wrens including 3 Wrens in Wheelchairs

 took part in the Honour Section of the Warrior’s Day Parade along with HMS Ganges.

The Unit was led by Janet W and the Colour Party from

Wren Association of Toronto.

Following the parade some members

attended the Military Tattoo.

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‘Macleans Magazine’  August 26  issue had an excellent  and historical article by Nathan P. Greenfield  regarding the Wrens and  their comments.

Thank you Nathan for your Interest.

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AUGUST 30 to SEPTEMBER 1, 2002

WRCNS[WREN]REUNION 2002,

 3 days, Meet and Greet,Banquet, Memorial Service and Meeting

hosted by Wren Association Of Edmonton, 

Celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of the founding of the Womens Royal Canadian Naval Service. (60 Years )

All former members of WRCNS, Wrens and Naval Women

About 400+ Wrens met in the great city of Edmonton for a wonderful time celebrating  the 60^th Anniversary of WRCNS. Wasn’t that a party! Congratulations to the Edmonton Wrens for making us welcome and having such a good time renewing old friendships.

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September 2002  to October 3 2002 The Bata Shoe Museum displayed Wren items and included uniforms, and information about the Wrens .   Display was available  to October 3 when 3 Wrens took part in an informal gathering and informal talks about some of the duties and service done by Wrens in WW2

Thank you Sonja Bata

The Bata Shoe Museum , Bloor Street Toronto,

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 September 7,2002 A number of Toronto Wrens attended the official send off to HMCS Haida. Unfortunately a good number of our Wrens had not returned from the good times out west.

Our Wrens have over the years taken special interest in HMCS Haida and wish her well in the coming years.

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Approx 21 Wrens were at Alice McM. beautiful home at the Forks of the Credit for the Annual Garden Party visit and lunch. We enjoy a quiet lunch and good times with Alice each year.

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September issue of ‘Good Times’ Magazine had an article and information on 6 of our  Wrens. Called ‘We Stand on Guard for Thee’ including some old and new photos, and  notice of our 60^th year.

Thank you ‘Good Times’

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5 Wrens were guests at HMCS York for the Change of Command Ceremony held September 25

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October 27,2002  WRCNS [Wrens] were recognized at the Massed  Military Band Concert [ Royal Canadian Military Institute and Roy Thomson Hall  commemorating  also the 60^th anniversary of the Landing at Dieppe and 50^th anniversary of the Queens Ascension to the Throne] Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto

Concert 14.00 hrs

Wrens had a static display in the Hall

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Nine Wrens were at the official reception for Her Majesty the Queen on October 9 at Toronto

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A number of Wrens attended the ceremonies for Her Majesty the Queen , at Hamilton, October 10

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In October , Shelagh P. and Betty H. received

 Lt.(NS )Kay Christie Memorial Trophy 2^ndplace

at the Annual Warriors’s Day Award Dinner

This trophy is awarded for the CNE Warrior’s Day Parade in August.

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A number of Wrens attended Jewish War Veterans Remembrance Day Parade and Synagogue Service on October 27^th 2002

for a very moving service

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In this Jubilee Year of Her Majesty the Queen,

The Wren Association of Toronto held its annual luncheon and celebration for the 60^th Anniversary since the founding of the WRCNS  at the Old Mill, Toronto on Sunday November 3, 2002

59 Wrens and Friends attended. 

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 On the CBC Radio Jeff Goodes show ‘Adrians Music’ had a short salute to Wrens Anniversary year, Nov 10, 2002

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Lil G spoke about being a Wren to students at a Local School

November 5,2002

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Wrens were present at the Remembrance Day services at City Hall Toronto and later in the day at the services held by the Naval Club of Toronto on November 11,2002

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 November 11, 2002 CBC Newsworld with Peter Mansbridge interviewed 4 wartime Wrens along with high school students from Parkdale Collegiate Toronto in a one hour forum with Margaret H.,  Eileen C. ,Jean A, and Audrey McC.

Excellent show with insight and good questions and answers.

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November, A number of Wrens were present for the handing over ceremony, for the passing from the Ontario Government of

HMCS HAIDA  to Parks Canada .

This fighting old WW2  ship will be drydocked and then placed in Hamilton Ontario.

 Goodbye and Good Luck.

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Naval Officers Association lunch held at HMCS York

Dorothy R  (WRCNS) was honoured as guest speaker

November 19,2002.

From all indications this was a great lunch and treat to hear Dorothy.

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Three of the Toronto Wrens, Jean B, Bev C., and Janet W. were awarded the Queens Jubilee Medal

at ceremonies in November 2002

Congratulations!

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Our President Betty B. managed to put in the whole morning

Dec 10/02 to see HMCS Haida finally move off to drydock

 and leave the Toronto Waterfront.

“Farewell Haida our old friend.”

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Toronto Wrens held the annual Christmas Party December 16,2002 at the Naval Club.

67 Wrens and friends had lunch and Christmas gift exchange.

Good Food and company and a visit from some Airforce Women.

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A few Wrens intend to see the new year in at various levees.

GOODBYE 2002

Please note the following

The Wren Association of Toronto

invites Wrens, WRCNS, WRNS, RCN,

Naval Women of Canadian Forces Sea Element, and including their Reserve Members

and Naval Women from Merchant Marines and

 Women from Allied Naval Forces and their Reserves

To join us

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Naval Women may join the
Wren Association of Toronto,

Write to P.O. Box 14, Station ‘F’ Toronto Ontario M4Y 2L4

Meetings held 3^rd Monday of the month- September through June at 12:oo noon, Upper Deck
Naval Club of Toronto, 14 Hayden Street, Toronto [Bloor and Yonge](except public holidays)

Membership is $15.00 per year.

Click here for membership form.

For additional information contact any one of the Wren Associations