A POOLE resident shared her story about her time in the Women’s Royal Naval Service ahead of International Women’s Day.

Kathleen, 98 a resident at Elizabeth House Care Home reminisced to staff and friends at the care home about her time in the women’s navy.

She served in the Royal Navy as a bomb range marker which involved sitting in a hut observing targets and logging each drogue parachute as it was released from a plane during World War Two.

Speaking on the role, Kathleen added: “They said I had to be good with numbers for the job, but I said I wasn’t. The reply was ‘Oh well. You have common sense, so you’ll be good at it.’

Reflecting on her time as a Wren (Woman in the Royal Navy), Kathleen said: “I loved it.

“We were all together and we did all of the rotten jobs together, whether that was carrying the coal or stoking the fire ready for the cook who we called ‘Cookie’ to make our breakfast.”

She was described as ‘Intelligent and cheerful, proving to be a willing and accurate bomb range marker.

‘A co-operative and loyal Wren.’

Elouise Powell, Home Manager at Elizabeth House, said: “Kathleen has some incredible stories to tell about her time in the Wrens and it is a joy to learn all about her life before she came to the care home.

“At Care South, we get to know every resident as an individual and they have all led such interesting and varied lives.

“We aim to ensure they continue to lead rich and fulfilling lives and continue to pursue their interests.”

After leaving the Wrens in July 1946, Kathleen met her husband, Peter, who flew in a Blenheim Bomber during the Second World War and moved in with his grandmother in Upton, Poole.

The pair later welcomed their son Tim, and Kathleen went on to work in retail.

Created in 1917 during the First World War, the Wrens were separated in 1919, before being restored in 1939 at the beginning of the Second World War.

International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8.