Background Information
The best source for information about the Women's Royal Naval
Service (WRNS) is the Royal Naval Museum. The history of the
WRNS can be viewed or used for research by appointment at the
Royal Naval Museum, HM Naval Base (PP66), Portsmouth, Hampshire,
P01 3NH. Tel: 023 9272 7576.
Website: WRNS
Collection
Along with information from the Royal Naval Museum, some of
the information used in the introduction article was sourced
from the National Archives.
WRNS Service Records
The National Archives holds Registers of Appointments of Officers
(Short Service) [catalogue reference: ADM
321 ],
Personal Files of Officers (Short Service) [catalogue reference: ADM
318],
Ratings’ Registers of Service [catalogue reference: ADM
336]
for women in the Women’s Royal Naval Service during WW1.
To find the record of service or registers of appointments
for an officer in the Women’s Royal Naval Service for
the period 1917 – 1920 you need to visit the National
Archives in Kew and head for the microfilm reading room. For
visitor information see the "planning
your visit" section of
The National Archives website.
Once you are at The National Archives in Kew
For record of
service (ADM 318) go to the catalogue (bookcase 28-31) and
find the
list
that
includes
ADM 318. The
list is
alphabetical with a list of numbers to the right. The numbers
are called ‘piece numbers’ and identify the individual
record. In the case of Evelyn Mary Mackintosh the number is
169, making the full reference for her service records ADM
318/169.
For registers of appointment (ADM 321) go to the catalogue
(bookcase 28-31) and find the list that includes ADM 321. These
records provide details of appointments, promotions and termination
or transfer of service. The list is arranged by period of appointment
and so may require a little more time to search. Make a note
of the reference number in the left column, this is your film
number
In both cases now go to the locations table for instructions
on how to get your microfilm. ADM318 microfilm is located in
row 1, drawers 38 and 39. ADM321 microfilm is located in row
1, drawer 40.
Then take the film to a microfilm reader. There are instruction
sheets available in the reading room for the microfilm readers
and despite looking like something from a B-movie, they really
are quite simple to operate.
If you are unable to visit Kew you may want
to employ an independent
researcher.
Death Certificate
Provided by the Family
Records Centre
For more information on obtaining certificates please see
our births, marriages and deaths
topic.
Record of Commemoration
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)
commemorates WWI female casualties, including numerous WRNS. Evelyn
Mackintosh is one of numerous WRNS commemorated by CWGC. You can
use the CWGC website to search their database for service people.
Other useful information sources
Births, marriages and burials for China
Evelyn Mackintosh was born in China, so a search via the General
Register Office for her birth certificate would produce
no results. However the Guildhall Library have an index of
some of the returns of births, marriages and burials for
China. For further details please contact:
Guildhall Library
Aldermanbury
London
EC2P 2EJ
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
Imperial War Museum
The Imperial War Museum is the museum of everyone's story:
the history of modern war and people's experience of war and
wartime life in Britain and the Commonwealth.
Website: Imperial War Museum
Access to Archives
The A2A database contains catalogues describing archives
held throughout England and dating from the 900s to the present
day.
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