Royal Australian Naval Nursing Service
Encyclopedia
The Royal Australian Naval Nursing Service (RANNS) was a former female branch of the Royal Australian Navy
. The RAANS was formed in October 1942, wartime demands lead to a need to recruit women directly into the RAN. At its wartime peak the RAANS was made up of 56 nursing sisters with at least 12 months prior experience. The RANNS was disbanded 1948 but the demand for nurses was so great that the organisation was reformed in November 1948. In June 1984 the RANNS and the other female branch of the RAN, the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service
, were incorporated into the permanent force and all female nurses became members of the nursing branch of the RAN.
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
. The RAANS was formed in October 1942, wartime demands lead to a need to recruit women directly into the RAN. At its wartime peak the RAANS was made up of 56 nursing sisters with at least 12 months prior experience. The RANNS was disbanded 1948 but the demand for nurses was so great that the organisation was reformed in November 1948. In June 1984 the RANNS and the other female branch of the RAN, the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service
Women's Royal Australian Naval Service
The Service was established in April 1941 when the Royal Australian Navy enrolled 14 women at HMAS Harman, the wireless telegraphy station near Canberra. Two women were stewards, and 12 trained as telegraphists...
, were incorporated into the permanent force and all female nurses became members of the nursing branch of the RAN.