Themes

Article Highlights

• Introduction - the story of HMS St Angelo

• HMS Egmont Afloat, 1904 – 1912

• HMS Egmont Ashore, 1912 – 1933

• HMS St Angelo, 1933 – 1939

• HMS St Angelo during World War Two

• HMS St Angelo Post World War Two

• The Wrens of HMS St Angelo

The Wrens of HMS St Angelo

During World War One the Government had passed a legislation allowing women in the Services to work abroad. The WRNS established Malta as the Mediterranean Headquarters.

In World War Two Wrens served in Malta once again. In January 1944 the first draft of Wrens travelled to Malta aboard HMS Orion. There were 40 ratings and one officer.

During the War many Wrens worked at the shore establishment HMS St Angelo undertaking various jobs such as Writers and Cyphers. Elizabeth Cooke worked in HMS St Angelo as a Cypher coding and decoding signals during World War Two. She remembers what it was like to work in Malta:

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World War Two Wren Elizabeth Cooke nee McVey on what it was like to work in Malta after the siege. (RNM)

To read a transcript of this oral history follow the link

Part of Mrs Cooke’s role was to be a signal distributor. She would take signals coming into HMS St Angelo, decode them, and pass them on to the recipient. Mrs Cooke would also convert outgoing signals into code. Hear Mrs Cooke talk about her role at HMS St Angelo below -

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World War Two Wren Elizabeth Cooke nee McVey explains the work she was doing at HMS St Angelo and what type of signals they were getting. (RNM)

To read a transcript of this oral history follow the link

Although it was hard work, the Wrens at HMS St Angelo also had time to enjoy themselves. Mrs Cooke remembers her working day and free time in Malta -

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World War Two Wren Elizabeth Cooke nee McVey explains the work she was doing at HMS St Angelo, her watches and free time. (RNM)

To read a transcript of this oral history follow the link

After the War Wrens continued to serve in Malta. In 1946 the Headquarters of the Mediterranean Fleet returned to the island. Most Wrens that worked in HMS St Angelo lived in the WRNS Quarters at Whitehall Mansions.

By 1955, Malta was one of the few places Wrens could serve overseas. Wrens enjoyed serving in Malta until the British withdrew from the island in 1979.