FAQs

CONTACT US  to notify a change of address to the Association Office. This can also be changed in the membership area by clicking My Account.

Alternatively, phone 02392 725141 or by post to:

Building 1/87, Scott Road
HM Naval Base
Portsmouth
Hants
PO1 3LU

Contact HQ to obtain a replacement card, by post from the Association of Wrens, or collection from HQ.

A reminder and form are enclosed in your Winter copy of The Wren magazine. You may also renew on-line HERE

The Association welcomes all who served in the WRNS & WRNR, including those who transferred to the RN & RNR, and all former and serving female ratings and officers of the RN.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A MEMBER. Membership forms are also available by post from the Association of Wrens HQ.

Arrangements should be made to lay up the Standard in a suitable place. This action cannot be undone: the Standard may not be used again. An Order of Service can be obtained from the HQ office. Alternatively, The Standard  may be deposited in the AOW office where it will be preserved and may be used to train future Standard Bearers.

Branches who become Informal Groups are, under the Constitution of the Association, in effect dissolved and should therefore act in accordance with Section 9j of the Constitution which states: ‘In the event of the dissolution of a Branch, all assets of the Branch shall be realised, and all debts and liabilities discharged, any remaining funds shall be disposed of as agreed by the Branch membership’. The advice of the Association Headquarters should be sought regarding the ultimate disposal of relevant archives and women’s service memorabilia (WRNS/RN).

If the Branch has a Standard, it should be laid up in a suitable place, HQ informed of its whereabouts, or sent to HQ to be cared for and used to train new Standard Bearers

The Association should be informed of your plan to form a new Branch/Group and will assist you in every way possible. A grant may be available towards start-up expenses. The Administrator will put other members in touch with you if requested. Details are available from the Association HQ office.

CLICK HERE to view a list of Branches & Groups near you.

Branch Insurance

Branches are required to pay £13.00 annually to provide Public Liability insurance for Branch business and social activities wherever held – Limit of Liability £5,000,000. Where appropriate this includes parading the Standard but not the Standard itself, see below, Informal Groups requiring Public Liability Insurance should contact the Hon Treasurer for entitlement on payment of the required premium.

Insurance of Branch Standards

Insurance for Branch Standards is included in the Association insurance cover, at a cost of £5 per annum (renewable from 1 June annually). Cover is restricted to the UK, any Standard required to be taken abroad will need to be covered by an individual’s personal insurance and HQ advised that the Standard is being taken abroad. Insurance covers damage due to fire or loss (including in transit) and includes both the Standard and the ceremonial equipment. Please apply by completing the relevant section on your Branch Return or contact HQ.

Information about War Medals can be found on the Ministry Of Defence Medal office HERE

Ratings Pre 1924, WRNS WW1 records, Officers 1756-1917 and all ship records: National Archives (PRO) Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU Tel: 020 8876 3444

CLICK HERE

Ratings 1924-72, Officers 1906-1982, WRNS 1939-1955, Reservists WWII : Director of Naval Personnel, Navy Search, TNT Records Management, PO Box 7814, Tetron Point, William Nadin Way, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE11 1EG Tel: 01283, 227912 or 227913

Contact the Veterans Agency HERE

Please download/complete the form and keep with your legal documents. The office can always send a hard copy of this form.

CLICK HERE for more information.

Inform the Administrator at the HQ of the Association of Wrens either by email [email protected], telephone 02392725141 or by post giving as much information as possible about their dates of service, rank or rate, Category/Branch, where they served and Membership number. Please include date of death. The obituary will be published on the website.

There is no charge for an obituary entry in The Wren. Next of kin will be sent a copy of the published obituary.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OBITUARIES.

The new Veterans Railcard is now on sale supporting UK Veterans and their families with savings on rail travel. The discounted rail fares will be valid for travel from 5 November 2020.

If you have served for at least one day in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) or have been a Merchant Mariner who has seen duty on legally defined military operations, you may be eligible.

The Veterans Railcard is on sale for £30.

A 3-year Railcard is also available for £70.

Like our other Railcards, the Veterans Railcard offers savings of 1/3 on rail travel, whether your are visiting family and friends or simply enjoying a day out.

You can also nominate a companion to get 1/3 off when travelling with you and up to 4 children travelling with you get 60% off.

https://www.veterans-railcard.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjwxZqSBhAHEiwASr9n9Phrf8nvlU7eytAouz5WqcLkZsnTZtDeCVQPh3X4Yhri6f6iFgVAchoCl64QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Are you a Veteran?

You’ll be eligible for a Veterans Railcard providing you have served for at least one day or more in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve). Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations are also eligible.

You can buy a Railcard from anywhere in the world, although we can only deliver plastic Railcards to addresses in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Railcard can be used to get discounts on rail travel in England, Wales and Scotland.

To check the eligibility paperwork you need to submit, CLICK HERE

If you don’t have any of the named documentation and need to request a “Proof of Service” please see below:

In order to apply for a Veterans Railcard, Applications must clearly be marked ‘Proof of Service’. Please submit a request for a Proof of Service along with a copy of your identification i.e. Driving Licence showing current address or a copy of the photographic page of your passport together with a recent Utility Bill or Bank Statement showing current address. Requests for Proof of Service can be submitted by mail or email. Applications via email are much quicker and easier to process. It is not necessary to complete a Subject Access Request form in this scenario.

RN Disclosure Cell
Mail Point 1.3
Navy Command Headquarters
Leach Building
Whale Island
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO2 8BY

Email: [email protected]

The Association has arranged for a discounted ticket for members. If you show your AOW membership card (credit card type) at the visitor centre, you can purchase the Ultimate Explorer Ticket, giving entrance to the Museum of the Royal Navy, all historic ships and harbour tours for a 30% discount for one family ticket or up to four individual tickets (adult/senior/child).

There is no discount on a yearly ticket.

WRNS 100 Monument can be seen in the grounds of Portsmouth Cathedral in Old Portsmouth. To view the Book of Donors, an appointment is necessary. Please contact Portsmouth Cathedral on 02392 823300 to arrange an appointment.

The AOW Centenary Monument can be found in the WRNS Garden at the National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR.

Tickets are essential for those taking part, but are not required for spectators and are available for current Association members only.

A ballot for tickets will be held every year, please keep checking back in the members area for more information.

Available from MacDonald Kiltmakers.

Contact [email protected]

Tel: 01506 872678

£25.00 inc postage. £1.50 to be donated to Association.

PURCHASE ONLINE or by telephone from listed suppliers.

It is available as an MP3 download from Amazon: From the album The Martial Music of Sir Vivian Dunn. BUY SONG

Almighty and most merciful God,

The protector of those who go down to the sea in ships;

Bless, we beseech thee all members of the Association of Wrens.

Bless also, we beseech thee all the women who served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service

And the women who have served or are serving in the Royal Navy and Naval Services.

Bind us together in loyalty and fellowship,

In doubt and temptation guide and uphold us,

And grant us at all times the help of thy grace.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

A complete collection of the Wren Magazine back to February 1921, is kept in the HQ office.

Magazines from 2015 onwards can be viewed in the members area

Copies can be accessed via The Imperial War Museum who also hold a collection.

Credit Card details are secure. The secure system from Opayo is embedded in the Website. Credit Card details are not handled or stored by the Association.

The quickest way to donate is to go to this link which allows you to donate via our website and PayPal.

Payment may also be made by debit/credit card.

CLICK HERE to visit the Benevolent Trust (WRNSBT) website.