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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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WRNS
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(Women's Royal Naval Service) A female branch of the *Royal Navy was formed under this name in 1917, was disbanded after the war and was reformed again just before *World War II; from the start members of the service were affectionately known as Wrens. They were limited to shore duties until 1990. In that year 16 Wrens ended a taboo of seven decades when they joined the crew of HMS Brilliant for five weeks' operational training at sea (provoking a protest march by some of the wives left on shore). In the early 1990s the WRNS was about 3500 strong.
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