THIS WEEK IN 1970: The first Wrens to go Dutch for a year

Two female pioneers were set to become the first Wrens to join another navy on exchange.Â

Margaret Smith and Kerrie Wearne, both radar plotters, were to leave HMS Dryad, Southwick, at the end of August for the Royal Netherlands Navy base at Den Helder.Â

Wrens Margaret Smith (left) and Kerrie Wearne, who are to become the first Wrens to join another navy on exchange.

placeholder image — Wrens Margaret Smith (left) and Kerrie Wearne, who are to become the first Wrens to join another navy on exchange.

TheyÂ continued to work as radar plotters with other Dutch Wrens for a year. But they have aÂ big responsibilityÂ , for their experience will be used to judge whether the scheme should be repeated.Â

Margaret and Kerrie, both 20, swappedÂ their modern accommÂ odation at Dryad for the less luxurious quarters of an old warship. But the girls hadÂ other advantages to look forward to.

'˜Like being allowed out all night,' joked Margaret,Â '˜and only being 90 minutes away from Amsterdam.'