The next book is for all ex Wrens who still have a yearning for the days when Wrens were women in the Womens Royal Naval Service (WRNS) and not serving matelots as they are today.
I Only Joined For The Hat is written by Christian Lamb and has a foreword by Countess Mountbatten of Burma. The book tells of Christian's life from 1939 when she volunteered to 'do her bit' for the war effort and her comfortable life was turned upside down, until 1945.
he book gives a rare insight into what life was truly like for wartime Wrens. Christian describes how class and snobbery had no place in a world of girls from all social backgrounds, suddenly plunged into life together.
From scrubbing floors and squad drill to coding and catering, Christian tells it all and peppers her pages with amusing observations.
For us locals, there are few anecdotes of Portsmouth but Portsdown Hill and Southwick House do get a mention if only sparingly. Another down-side is that there are few photographs which, I think a few more would have made it a little more interesting although that does not take away the interest in the script.
A must read for all who are interested in the Wrens and women in naval history.