Photo of WRANS from HMAS Moreton, credit: Queensland Maritime Museum Library.
Doreen Davidson
Doreen Davidson, in her memoir of her time at Moreton, remarked on how she enjoyed the camaraderie of the WRANS and RANS stationed at Moreton. She wrote that the people stationed at Moreton remained relatively the same throughout the years and they all grew very close to each other and shared many experiences. Though they had to work hard, getting up early and cleaning their huts then performing their drills, there were also a lot of fun experiences for them in Brisbane such as: Christmas dinners, winter nights eating toast and drinking cocoa by the fire, singing songs in the rec room, weekends at the hostel for servicewomen in Burleigh Heads, dances every week; visits to functions held by the Air Force and Army; Sunday swims at the Oasis; Sunday nights at the Regent Theatre to enjoy the organ playing by Reubert Hayes; playing sports.
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Living so close together and sharing all these experiences strengthened the bond between the WRANS and RANS stationed at Moreton, according to Doreen, who even referred to them as a “family”. She ends her story by saying she feels the friendships made at Moreton have continued to be treasured throughout the years and will continue in this manner for years to come.
Photo of WRANS at HMAS Moreton, credit: Queensland Maritime Museum Library.
Jessie Bamford
Jessie Bamford, who worked as a Driver at the Queensland naval depot, earned notoriety when she attempted return to England from Canada to enlist in the Navy by stowing away in a ship.
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A keen traveller, Jessie had lived in several places around the world throughout her life, England, South Africa, Canada, India and Australia. This of course meant she’d travelled by sea a great deal in her life. During an interview she once said: “I’ve spent most of my life travelling and at sea, so that’s why I was so keen to join the Navy.”
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When the Japanese entered the war in 1941 Jessie was on a ship on her way back to Canada. They managed to compete the journey without any problems. Jessie was so anxious to join the Navy she tried to stow away on ship bound for England to enlist in the Women’s Royal Naval Service there. However, she was discovered before the ship set sail and put ashore. She later travelled to Australia where she joined the WRANS and was stationed in Queensland as a driver.
Photo of Jessie Bamford, credit: Queensland Maritime Museum Library.
Nesta Massie and Dorothy Wallace
Two shop assistants at a leading clothing store in Brisbane, Nesta Massie and Dorothy Wallace, enlisted in 1943 and began distributing uniforms.
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Nesta remarked that “doing a useful job like this makes the time pass faster and gives me the feeling that I am serving with my fiancé.” Her fiancé was a Naval Officer serving overseas at the time; after enlisting, she cabled him to tell him the news and he cabled back congratulating her.
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Dorothy Wallace also spoke about her decision to join WRANS: “The Navy is the grandest service and I’ve always admired it. That’s why I joined up.”
Photo of Nesta Massie, credit: Queensland Maritime Museum Library.
WRANS Who Enlisted Because Friends and Relatives Had
Just like Nesta Massie, a lot of other girls serving in Queensland joined because they knew someone already serving in the Navy.
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Isabell Birch, who worked in signalling, said: “I have a close friend in the Navy, so I thought I would join WRANS.”
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Anne Drevesen, a Brisbane girl, said: “The sea has always fascinated me and I have a boyfriend in the Navy.”
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Audrey Randel, another lady in signalling, joined because both her brothers were in the Navy.
Photo of WRANS marching, credit: Queensland Maritime Museum Library.