he contracted due to his service—he was surprised to be chosen for the role, and even more so that the losses at sea had brought the British so close to defeat. However, true to his many accomplishments both during and after service as a skilled naval officer, wargame runner, and trainer, Roberts went straight to work in setting up his floor to be ready to receive his staff.
(below) Wrens work tirelessly to load torpedoes onto submarines. Their motto in World War I was ‘Never At Sea’, a negative and constant reminder that their contributions were not as important in comparison to a man’s.
16
Covert Tactics
Vera Laughton Mathews, often called VLM, had been one of the first women called to enlist in World War I for a group called the Wrens (Women’s Royal Naval Service) in 1917. “In addition to cooking and clerical work, they performed an array of duties... Wrens worked as telephonists calling up gun stations during air raids to pass on orders for gunfire and barrage... were employed in drawing, tracing, and preparing designs for new machinery and weapons... [and] worked as drivers for the Admiralty” (Parkin 66). VLM had been a proponent of women’s rights for years and was pleased to finally be able to contribute to the war effort. Even though her time with the Wrens was brief, the friendships and connections she formed would eventually lead her to head the new wave of Wrens in World War II. Her care, attention, and advocacy for her fellow women allowed her to understand each of their strengths and assign them to roles where they would excel, allowing their reputation to grow as they proved themselves and
