A book telling the story of the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) was launched at HMAS KUTTABUL late last month.

Titlted Ships Belles, the book, written by former WRANS member, Shirley Fenton Huie, was laucnhed by the Commanding Officer of KUTTABUL, CMDR Vicki McConachie.

Fittingly, CMDR McConachie, who took command of KUTTABUL in January this year, is the first woman to command the establishment in its 35 year history.

The launch in KUTTABUL's Junior Sailor's Mess, was attended by many former members of the WRANS.

"I feel honoured to be launching Ships Belles," CMDR McConachie said.

"Shirley Fenton Huie brigns together many recollections of those who served in the WRANS and the book is imbued with the sense of fun which characterised those young volunteers in the service's early years.

"The book makes you laugh and cry as it recounts many personal anecdotes of the women who served."

CMDR McConachie recounted some of the book's many anecdotes which she found particularly interesting.

She also entertained those present with some of her own personal recollections of service in the Navy.

CMDR McConachie stressed how far women have progressed in the Navy and referred to the fact that this year will see the first female commanding officer taking charge of a patrol boat.

Although the WRANS did not come into existence until 1941, the book begins with a charming story from 1920 of Nancy Bentley, aged six, became the first female to be inducted into the RAN.

The book provides an insight into the thinking of women who laid the foundations for today's female presence in the Navy.

"It is not easy to convey exactly how it was then to later generations but it is important to make sure that accurate records are passed on, otherwise the way we are portrayed can become very distorted," the author states in her introduction.

"Unlike those serving in peacetime, the wartime WRANS were not seeking to make a lifetime carrer in the navy, but only wanted to win the war in the most practical way possible."

While there have been enormous changes over the years, Shirley Fenton Huie believes that the one thing that doesn't change is the spirit that has existed from the beginning.

Members of the WRANS, which was established in 1941, were integrated into the RAN in 1985.

Ships Belles is published by The Watermark Press and retails for $39.95, including postage.

The 320 page hard back book contains 100 photographs as well as a list of all those who served.

It is available from most bookshops, or can be ordered directly from the publisher by calling (02) 9818-5677.

By Jerzy Farynski