Portal:Military of Australia/Units/September 12

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A member of the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service at HMAS Harman in 1941

The Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) was the branch of the Royal Australian Navy which recruited women. The Service was established in April 1941 when the RAN enrolled 14 women at HMAS Harman. In October 1942 the WRANS were sworn in as enlisted personnel in the RAN, and in February 1943 their numbers were increased to 1,000. By the end of the war, their numbers had increased to over 2,500. The WRANS was disbanded in 1948 but was reformed in 1951. WRANS were limited to non-sea going and non-combat duties. The WRANS was permanently disbanded in 1984 after women were fully integrated into the Navy.