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