Second World War
The Navy Ashore  - Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service

The Second World War saw close to 7,000 women in naval service. Founded in 1942, the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS), often called the "Wrens", performed a wide variety non-combatant roles ashore, both in Canada and abroad.

WRCNS Quarters, Halifax, 1945

This 1945 photograph shows members of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service in their quarters in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

These closely packed accommodations, dubbed the "Casbah" by the women living there, were crowded and suffered from poor ventilation. Bunk beds are visible on the right, while lockers for uniforms and personal effects are on the left, with suitcases stored above. As a result of the dramatic expansion of the Royal Canadian Navy, wartime Halifax was chronically short of living space for naval personnel, with consequences that included quarters like these.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19900275-024