Maritime history is made as Wrens join naval warship HMS Brilliant as fulltime crew.

This iconic footage explores the crew’s temperament as HMS Brilliant gets their first deployment of female sailors. The Women’s Royal Naval Service formed in 1917 to aid in the First and Second World Wars, WRNS or Wrens however were often tasked with supportive roles, away from the front line. This footage shot in the 1980s, shows interviews with ratings Wendy Clay, Rhian Mills and Katherine Hawkins, who explain that they aren’t expecting any special treatment given their gender and are ready and willing to do everything their male counterparts can do, including fighting on the front line. HMS Brilliant carried the first women to serve on an operational warship in 1990, involved in Operation Granby in the Gulf.

This footage also includes an interview from Capt Richard Cobbalt, who says the women are all welcome on board but does express concern that the presence of female sailors may disrupt normal ship’s operations. Leading Seaman Brown also expresses his concern with their ability to keep watch and lift missiles. Women became subject to the Naval Discipline Act 1957 therefore equal to men in the 1970s, but it wasn’t until 1993 when women were fully integrated on board navy vessels.