Kingston woman looks back at her time as a WREN

They’re known as WRENs. They’re the women who signed up to be part of the Royal Naval Service during wars. Modelled after the British WRENs, the Canadian division was created during the Second World War. The women held positions such as cooks, clerks, drivers and even mechanics.

Betty Schieck joined the WRENs 74 years ago. Originally from Montreal, Schieck now calls Kingston home.

Schieck had just turned 20 when she signed up in 1943.  Following training, she was sent to HMCS Niobe in Scotland in 1945, where she became a WREN writer.

“I don’t think anybody today can realize what warfare in a country like Great Britain was like because Canada didn’t suffer the terrible bombings and all the awful things that happened,” said Schieck from her home in Kingston.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I don't think anybody today can realize what warfare in a country like Great Britain was like because Canada didn't suffer the terrible bombings and all the awful things that happened," said Schieck from her home in Kingston.

Her duties as a WREN writer included acting as a secretary to the commanding officer for all WRENs.  She held that job for almost two years.  “Unless you have been a member of the Armed Forces, it’s unique, very special,” said Schieck.

Ken Moore, also from Kingston, served 25 years in the army and believes women played a vital role in the Second World War, providing support.

“You start reading all the things that they did that we didn’t know about at the time, hey, they were very important,” said Moore.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "You start reading all the things that they did that we didn't know about at the time, hey, they were very important," said Moore.

Now 95, Schieck’s story continues to inspire people like her friends Vicki Spafford and Olga Alford. Both hope that this Remembrance Day, younger generations appreciate the sacrifices people like Schieck and Moore made for their country.

“We know that they fought for us and they helped us to what we are now you know because if it wasn’t for them, god knows where we would be,” saidd Alford.

Spafford adds: “I don’t want younger people to forget and they need to remember, they need to see all of the pictures so it won’t happen again.”

As for Schieck, she says while it’s important to look back, she also wants people to look to the future.

“Remembrance is right but I think it’s looking towards the future and making our world a better and more safer place, as we are fortunate. Just be strong, be happy and be Canadian.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Remembrance is right but I think it's looking towards the future and making our world a better and more safer place, as we are fortunate. Just be strong, be happy and be Canadian."

Schieck along with other veterans will be honoured during a special Remembrance Day ceremony at her apartment complex on Norwest Road in Kingston, Saturday.