A wonderfully evocative illustrated memoir that gives the
reader a rare account in close-up of what life was truly
like for World War II Wrens, as they were catapulted into
the drudgery and deprivation, mayhem and maelstrom, and
the tribulations and triumphs of war. In 1939, the young
Christian Lamb felt she had to 'do her bit' for the war
effort. Her comfortable life was about to be turned
upside down. With a Naval background, the Women's Royal
Naval Service (WRNS) was the obvious choice, besides it
had by far the most attractive uniform - topped by the
splendid tricorne hat. On joining as a lowly Wren rating
she found that this crowning glory was not for her but
strictly for officers only. It was to be the first of
many nasty surprises. In "I Only Joined For The Hat", the
author wittily describes how class and snobbery had no
place in a world of girls from all social backgrounds,
suddenly plunged into life together.
