Sailor Lynne to drop anchor after 40 years
A Royal Navy Warrant Officer from Staffordshire is retiring after 40 years in the senior service.
Lynne Joyce, aged 57, was born in the landlocked county of Staffs but always wanted to join the senior service.
She said: "As I was under 18, my mum had to sign my papers. Mum had also wanted to join up but my nan didn’t want her to.
“My younger brother was in the RAF and my older brother in the Merchant Navy; we used to say we had all angles covered as my mum worked for the Brownies.”
And so in 1979, straight from school, Lynne turned up for her first day as a member of the Women’s Royal Naval Service at HMS Dauntless in Berkshire at the tender age of 17 and two months – meaning she was entitled to the daily milk and biscuits ration for her first four months.
After completing her training at HMS Pembroke in Chatham and HMS Collingwood, she served at a number of shore establishments, including Portsmouth, RNAS Culdrose, HMS Raleigh, and HMS Drake.
She also enjoyed a couple of spells in Italy.
“I really enjoyed that – and I got my Italian GCSE out of it as well,” said Lynne.
She also appreciated the opportunities for adventurous training that the Navy provided. “Not long after I joined HMS Collingwood I went skiing in Scotland, and I thought this is going to be all right,” she said.
She joined the Supply branch, preferring to become a stores accountant than a writer as it meant she would meet more people in the course of her working day – and she has never looked back since.
Her proudest moments are taking part in the November Remembrance ceremonies in Whitehall in 1980 and 1990.
“Because I was tall, the first time I was at the back as a junior rating, and I said to myself one day I want to be the senior rating at the front. About ten years later, I managed it. The ceremonies made me realise why I did the job.”
Lynne, who initially signed up for nine years, saw the Wrens service disbanded in 1993 when women were fully integrated into the Royal Navy, but chose not to become sea-going.
“I was a chief by then and I really didn’t think I had anything to prove, I had worked on ships alongside and I did get to spend five days at sea aboard HMS Ocean," she added.
Among her notable achievements was receiving a NATO commendation for her two years working for STRIKENATO in Naples, where she learned Italian and quickly adapted to ‘driving like you’re on the dodgems.”
Two years ago Lynne was awarded an MBE. As logistics information systems are upgraded and replaced, there is a need for experienced people to help bed in new systems and ways of working, and to help people learn new processes.
Lynne, who attended Walhouse Primary School in Cannock and the town’s grammar school, added: “As young Wrens in 1979 we were told we were there to support the ships and units on the front line.
“There have been so many changes during my career and I would describe myself as a dinosaur at the cutting edge.
“I went from hydraulic methods to computers and said If I can change, anyone can.”
Lynne, who is now based in Hampshire, is planning a gap year before making any decisions on her future.
“What’ll I’ll miss the most are the people, but I gave 12 months’ notice and have got my head into retirement.”
