The Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service was established on 31 July 1942, & on 9 October 1942 a young woman named Ada Hazen Mackay signed up. The Hiring Board’s observations included “Above average in every respect” & “A sound young woman of unusual ability”. #RCNavy

The “Wrens” of the WRCNS “...played a pivotal role in easing the RCN’s personnel shortages.”, filling shore positions such as clerks, stewards, coders, communicators, drivers, photographers, and teletype operators.

Hazen underwent basic training at HMCS CONESTOGA, an ashore training establishment in Galt, ON, and then moved on to receive her Specialist Qualification in radio communications at the signals school at HMCS ST. HYACINTHE in Quebec (from 09/1943 - 01/1944).

She was then posted “overseas” to St. John’s, NL (from 04/1945 to 09/1945) - still a British colony at the time - where we believe she was involved with locating U-boats through the triangulation of their radio reports.

Hazen moved to London where she arranged for the transportation of armed forces personnel returning to Canada. Her evaluation stated “...she has demonstrated her ability to handle successfully a large staff of male naval ratings, wrens, civilians and wren officers.”

Discharged at the rank of Lieutenant on 6 June 1946, Hazen went on to marry an RCAF veteran named J.D. Inches, & they raised 7 children. She participated in numerous volunteer positions, including with the South End Food Bank in Saint John, NB, into her 90s.

Hazen is still alive, and turns 100 this year. Happy Birthday, Mrs. Inches! Wrens like you blazed a trail for future generations of women to serve in the @RoyalCanNavy, such as @cdnnavylady, @NancySetchell, & @navy_linda81 among others!