WRNS 1941

GLADYS IRENE STEPHENS, nee Pont. Wren Writer D/3800 WRNS on H.M.S Collinwood.
Born 20 February 1896 at Deal Kent to Henry and Elizabeth Pont, nee Saddleton. 1911 residing with her parents and siblings at 22 Victoria Road, Deal.
She was married 05 September 1922 to Morley John Stephens, of Alverstoke, Gosport
1939 with her husband at 06 Foster Road Gosport.
Died 02 January 1941 age 44 years old of an enlarged spleen and acute anaemia (disorder of the blood) at 06 Foster Road, Gosport, Hampshire. At rest in Anns’s Hill Cemetery, Gosport, Hampshire
Wills and Admin, Ancestry.
Gladys Irene Stephens of 06 Foster Road, Gosport, Hampshire. Died 02 January 1941. Her effects went to her husband, local government officer.

JANE BROWN. Nee Noble, Wren Cook D/1634 WRNS on H.M.S. Drake
Born 19 December 1904 at Newcastle -on-Tyne, Northumberland to George and Ann Noble. 1911 with her parents and siblings at 04 gillies Street, Byker, Newcastle on Tyne .
She married Andrew Brown, Stoker Class I, Royal Navy, October 1921 in Newcastle on Tyne, Northumberland
1939 residing with her children at 62 Peter’s Park Lane, Plymouth. Her occupation WRNS at Royal Navy Cook’s Branch No 21.
Died 10 January 1941 age 36 years old at 62 Peters Park Lane, Sutton Estate, St Buderux, Plymouth, Devon of acute uraemia, secondary to chronic nephritis
At rest in Weston Mill Cemetery, Plymouth, Devon.

MARGERY E E STARTUP. Wren of WRNS
Born 1921 at Strood, Kent to Alfred Edward Barton and Leah Sophia Ellen Startup, nee Eves
1939 with her parents and siblings at 226 High Street, Halling, Stood, Kent.
Died 23 January 1941 age 19 years at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, Chatham, Kent of septicaemia, cellulitis of abdominal wall. Laparotomy followed by pyogenic infection
Her death was registered as Marjorie Startup

IVY MARION DAVIES. Wren R/6357 WRNS on H.M.S. Condor.
Born 13 August 1896 to Edward Frederick and Annie Davies, of Finsbury Park, Middlesex. 1901 with her parents and siblings at 50 Dongola Road Tottenham, London.
1939 at the home of Elaine Pugh of 06 Browning Avenue, Bournemouth, Hampshire employed as a domestic.
Died of cerebral spinal meningitis 24 January 1941 age 44 years old at Arbroath Infirmary, Angus. At rest in Arbroath Wester Cemetery, Augus, Scotland.

MARGARET MARION CLARKE. Wren WA/10247 WRNS on H.M.S. Caroline.
16 December 1922 to Lieut. Commander Joseph Henry Clarke R.N.V.R. and Mary Winifred Clarke, nee Dobbyn of Waterford.
Her parents were married by licence 03 December 1918 at St Thomas Church, Ballinakill, Waterford. Her mother was known as Lady Dobbyn, daughter of Robert, Solicitor of Ballinakill House, Waterford. Her father at the time of the marriage was residing at the Imperial Hotel, Waterford, Lieutenant, RNVR son of Henry William Clarke, civil engineer.
Died of pneumonia 28 January 1941 age 18 years old in Waterford County Hospital, Ireland.
At rest in Church of Ireland Churchyard, Ballinakill, County Laois, Ireland.

EDITH CLEMENTS. (Mrs) Wren P/6570 WRNS on H.M.S. Collingwood.
Born 25 August 1904 at Maesteg, Glamorgan, South Wales
1939 at the home of the Gibson family at 19 Main Road Suffolk, occupation unpaid domestic.
Died 10 February 1941 age 36 years of cerebrospinal fever and meningitis in Portsmouth Fever Hospital.
At rest in SS Peter and Paul Churchyard, Wymering Hampshire.
Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.

SYBIL DOREEN REDDING. Writer Wren P/7386 WRNS on HMS Hornet,
Born 06 November 1911 at Mexborough, Yorkshire to Frederick and Constance Eileen Redding nee Coleman of Bournemouth.
Died of wounds at Royal Naval Hospital Haslar, Portsmouth Hampshire 07 March 1941 age 29, possibly from an air raid by German Bombers.
At rest in Royal Naval Cemetery, Haslar, Clayall Road, Gosport, Hampshire
Image of headstone credited to Frank on Find a Grave

FREDA CORALIE COATES. Leading Wren C/3339 WRNS on H.M.S. Minos
Born 26 May 1904 to William and Alice Coates, of Lowestoft.
1911-1939 with her parents and siblings at 45 Princes Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk.
She and 21 service personnel and civilians were enjoying a drink in in the Ferry Inn, Horning, Norfolk in the evening of Saturday 26 April 1941 when a lone German bomber released his remaining bomb load at 21.44 hrs and one made a direct hit on the inn. At rest in St Margaret Churchyard, Lowestoft, Suffolk.

EVELYN MAY KIRK, nee Coe. Leading Wren P/623 WRNS on H.M.S. Excellent.
Born 21 May 1914 at Ashington, Northumberland to Samuel and Elizabeth Coe, of Sholden and wife of Leading Stoker George Kirk.
1939 serving in the WRNS on Whale Island, Portsmouth. Hampshire
Died 27 April 1941 age 26 years old. At rest in St Nicholas Church Cemetery, Sholden, Kent.
Her husband
Leading Stoker P/KX 84993. George K. KIRK, R.N on minesweeper, H.M.S. Hebe.
Son of Nathaniel and Marjory Beaton Kirk, of Deal, Kent. Died of wounds, 26th November, 1943 age 29 years as the result of the sinking of his ship. At rest in Bari War Cemetery, Italy.

BARBARA MARY ELIZABETH MEDLAND. Wren Writer 15486 WRNS on H.M.S. Skirmisher.
Born 18 December 1915 to William Thomas (Pte, Army Service Corps) and Gertrude Markie Medland, of Stratton, Cornwall.
1939 with her parents at Bude, Cornwall, occupation, Solicitor’s shorthand typist.
Died 22 May 1941 age 25 of diphtheria at Begelley Isolation Hospital, Norberth, Pembrokeshire
At rest in St Andrew Churchyard, Stratton Cornwall.

DORIS HOOKE, nee Barrett. Wren R/9181 WRNS on shore base H.M.S. Elfin at Blyth.
Born 22 December 1921 at Morpeth Northumberland to William Arthur (formerly Private 579 of the Northern Cycle Battalion WW1) and Daisy Barrett, nee Bell of Blyth, Northumberland.
Wife of James G Hooke who she married in June 1941 in Northumberland.
Died of pulmonary tuberculosis complicated by pregnancy 16 June 1941 age 19 years old at Preston Hospital, North Shields.
At rest in Cowpen Cemetery, Blyth Northumberland.
Request to Dimitrios Corcodilos f.a.grave granted 15/5/23

JESSIE MARY MICKLEBURGH, nee Way. Wren Shorthand typist D/15461 WRNS of H.M.S. Drake.
Born 19 September 1914 in London to William and Elizabeth Ellen Way, of Mutley, Plymouth.
She was married in 1934 in Plymouth to Thomas George Mickleburgh, electrical fitter at H.M. Dockyard, Devonport
1939 residing with her husband and children at 14 Darnford Street, Plymouth, Devon.
Died 29 June 1941 age 28 of pelvic peritonitis at City Hospital, Plymouth, Devon. At rest in Efford Cemetery, Plymouth, Devon.
Image of headstone credited to Samnoco, Find a Grave.

VICTORIA ELLEN ELIZABETH SMITH, nee Moore. Wren N/11978 WRNS on H.M.S. Watchful.
Born 18 November 1910 to Horace (serving soldier with Royal Engineers, 1st Garrison Bn, Essex Regt and later Norfolk Regt) and Ellen Moore, nee Gale of Norwich.
1911 with her parents at Roseberry Terrace,Thorpe St. Andrew, Norwich.
1935 she married Stanley Archer Smith in the registration district of Yarmouth.
1939 residing with her husband and mother at 06 Whittletons Place, Northgate Street, Great Yarmouth.
Wife of Stanley Archer Smith, Air Raid Warden both died during the German bombing 07 July 1941. She was at her home Nos 06 Whittleton Place, Northgate Street, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, she was aged 30.
At 1.04am 7th July, German bombers dropped high explosive bombs at Frederick Street, Kitchener Road, 2-43 am Whittleton Place and Southgates Road. At rest in Caister Old Cemetery, Norfolk.
Wills and Admin, Ancestry.
Victoria Ellen Elizabeth Smith of 06 Whittleton Place, Northgate Street, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, widow who is belived to have been killed through war operations on 07 July 1941 and whose dead body was found on 07 July 1941. Her effects went to her father, postal servant.
Permission granted 10.5.23 to Stephen Farnell

MARGARET ETHNE JEAN DOBSON. 1st Officer Co Pilot and Navigator WRNS of Royal Naval Air Station, Hatson, Kirkwall, Orkney
Born 21 December 1903, baptised 02 February 1904 to Reverend Richard Augustus and Margaret Eleanor Augusta Dobson.
1911 with her parents and siblings at St Michaels Vicarage, Viewfield Ros, Wandsworth, London.
1938 London Electorial Register. Residing at 82 Central Hill, Norwood, London.
killed in a flying accident near Stonehaven, Scotland 07 July 1941 aged 36. At rest in Douglas Bank Cemetery, Dunfermline Scotland.
She was part of a crew of two, other being Pilot, Pilot Officer FAA/FX81344 Walter Cyril Jones, of Fleet Air Arm along with four passengers. Two, navy and other two civilians. They were all on board a de Havilland DH. 89A Dragon Rapid R9563 which took off from RNAS Haston, destination RNAS, Donibristle, Fife. The aircraft flew into high ground in bad weather at Kempstone Hill near Cowie.
Source for some of the above, see below link.
Other source

Margaret Ethel Jean Dobson of Woodhall Shipbourne, Tonbridge, spinster died 07 July 1941 on war service. Her effects went to Percival Charles Fawcett retired solicitor, Mervyn Parke Dobson schoolmaster and Norah Helen Dobson, spinster.
Free BMD
DOBSON Margaret Ethne J. Wandsworth 1d 802. March 1904.


The following draft of 21 Wrens were all hand picked for telegraphist specialising as a cryptographer and wireless duties at HMS Cormorant, H.M.S. President II, Royal Naval Air Stations in Gibraltar. The complete draft was all drowned.
They all embarked from Liverpool on passenger ship SS Aguila. The ship departed Liverpool 12 August 1941 and on the 19 August 1941 ship was torpedoed by U-201 which sunk within 90 seconds
SINKING OF S.S. Aguila.

The below link is to the passenger list found on Ancestry


PHYLLIS BACON. Chief Wren WA/WRNS 4715 WRNS
MARGARET WATMORE BARNES. Chief Wren R/7860 WRNS
CECILLY MONICA BRUCE BENJAMIN. Chief Wren WA/WRNS 6965 WRNS
CECILIA MARY BLAKE-FORSTER. Wren Third Officer WRNS
DOROTHY BONSOR. Chief Wren N/7862 WRNS
MARGARET EULALIA CHAPPE-HALL. Wren Third Officer WRNS
MADELEINE ALICE COOPER. Chief Wren P/6093 WRNS
MARY GRANT. Chief Wren P/2209 WRNS
CECILIA ALIX BRUCE JOY. Wren Third Officer WRNS
FLORENCE MACPHERSON, nee Williamson. Wren, Third Officer WRNS
VICTORIA CONSTANCE McLAREN, nee Hayward. Wren Third Officer
KATHLEEN MILLER. Wren Third Officer WRNS
ISABEL MARY MILNE HOME. Wren Third Officer WRNS
MILDRED GEORGINA NORMAN. Chief Wren R/3615 WRNS
CHRISTINE EMMA MARY OGLE. Wren Second Officer WRNS
JOSEPHINE CALDWELL REITH. Wren 3rd Officer WRNS
ELSIE ELIZABETH SHEPHERD. Chief Wren C/ 8870 WRNS
CATHERINE JOHNSTON SLAVEN. Chief Wren C/9322 WRNS
BEATRICE MABEL SMITH. Chief Wren R/61 WRNS
ELLEN JESSIE WATERS. Chief Wren (S) R/7491 WRNS
ROSALIE WELLS. Chief Wren (S), R/6120 WRNS


HAZEL KATHLEEN SANDERSON, nee Ford. Wren C/15142 WRNS on H.M.S. President I
Born 08 September 1911 to Basil Henry and Mildred Alicia Ford.
Wife of John Stuart Sanderson who she married in September quarter 1939 at Hendon, Middlesex
1939 with her husband at Goldcliffe, Neath Road, Glamorganshire
Died of uremia due to chronic nephritis at St John and St Elizabeth Street, Marylebone, London 11 September 1941 age 30 years old.
She is commemorated on Panel 3 at Golders Green Crematorium, Middlesex.
Wills and Admin, Ancestry.
Hazel Kathleen Sanderson of 109 Broadhurst Gardens, Hampstead, London, (wife of John Stuart Sanderson) died 11 September 1941 at Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth Street, Marylebone, London. Administration Llandudno 13 January 1942 to the said John Stuart Sanderson, cadet H.M. Fleet Air Arm. Effects £987.15s.10d. Resworn £936.8s.2d.

GLADYS VERA MAY COOPER, nee Kemp. Wren Stewardess P/5197 on H.M.S. Excellent.
Born 13 September 1907 to Claude and Nellie Louisa Emily Kemp, of Portsmouth. 1911 with her parents and sibling at 25 Stanley Road, Stamshaw,
She married in January Quarter 1936 at Portsmouth to Charles F. Cooper, of Hilsea, Portsmouth.
Portsmouth. 1939 with her mother at Hill Park Drive Fareham, Hampshire. Her husband was not at home.
Died of pneumonia 19 October 1941 age 34 years at St James Hospital, Portsmouth. At rest in Milton Cemetery, Portsmouth.


Our Sisters served and died.