Naval Centennial Rose

www.thewrens.com

Announcing the 2010 Canadian Naval Centennial Rose sponsored by Wren Associations across Canada. Named in honour of the thousands of Canadian women who served in the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS), known as Wrens, and to the women today who continue to serve as members of the Canadian Navy.

In the 2010 celebration year we dedicate this rose as a tribute to our Shipmates, all the gallant men and women who served at sea and ashore in the Canadian Navy, past, present and future.

The Wrens chose this rose developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and grown exclusively by J.C. Bakker Nurseries to celebrate the Canadian Naval Centennial, 1910- 2010. Ceremonial plantings will take place across Canada in the commemorative year 2010 and onward, in locations of naval significance attended by Naval personnel past and present, local offi cials and the public.

Due to the serious wartime shortage of sailors for sea billets, the Navy decided to organize a women’s division of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) “to release a man to go to sea.” On July 31, 1942, the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service was established. The WRCNS, unlike other Allied female units, was not an auxiliary but rather a formed unit of the RCN and its officers held the King’s Commission. At peak strength, over 6,000 women were fulfilling the various roles of coders, confidential clerks, messengers, telegraphists, cooks, stewards and some 35 other important duties. The WRCNS was disbanded in 1946. In 1951 a Wren section was reformed in the RCN, initially in the Reserve but becoming fulltime regulars by 1955. Wrens continued to serve in the RCN and RCNR (reserve) until unification of the Canadian Forces. Women in the navy were still known as Wrens until the late eighties. Today, no longer called Wrens, women serve in the Canadian Navy, both regular and reserve, ashore and at sea.

Please consider planting the rose bushes in your ceremonial events 2010 and beyond. Available in planting season 2010 at selected retailers across Canada.

Mailing address:
Wren Association of Toronto,
P.O. Box 14, Station F,
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2L4
Details: www.canadiannavy100.forces.gc.ca
www.thewrens.com,
email us at navylady@thewrens.com

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