Working in unprepossessing paint-stained overalls and traditional conical hats Chinese female contractors serviced British Commonwealth and US ships anchored off Hong Kong. A South China Morning Post outlined the civilian women’s formal role when ships arrived. These ‘side parties were groups of women who would clean the vessels, chip off rust and repaint their sides, […]
It is the Centenary of the Women’s Royal Naval Service this year, and in celebration there has been some exciting scholarship taking place – and some interesting events coming up – concerning women’s history and the Royal Navy. Dr Jo Stanley’s publication Women and the Royal Navy is released on 4th November, and “takes a new historiographical […]
One-day seminar to reveal 100 years of women in the Royal Navy To mark the centenary of the formation of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS), a one-day conference on Saturday 25 November explores the contribution women have made to the Royal Navy. In 1917 the WRNS motto was ‘Never at Sea’. Since then much […]
Following Women’s International Day on 8 March 2014, it is appropriate that the role of women and their voices be given attention. Port Towns are ostensibly about men, masculinity and male bonds of friendship. Men have arguably shaped our understandings of port towns, their projected identity and this has left a lasting presence on the […]
