Women's shorts

Maker Jantzen (American, founded 1910)

Date1968-1972

Object number00036407

NameShorts

MediumCotton, metal

DimensionsOverall: 390 x 300 x 10 mm, 0.1 kg
Clothing size: 28

ClassificationsClothing and personal items

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Margaret White

Terms

DescriptionThese blue cotton Jantzen shorts were worn by Margaret White as part of the uniform for the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) from 1968 to 1972. The functional design features a wide waistband with elasticised sides, and a zipper at the back. HistoryThe WRANS (1942 - 1984) was first established with 14 women, trained by Florence McKenzie as wireless telegraphists. The Royal Australian Navy enrolled these women in April 1941 at HMAS Harman Wireless Telegraphy station. Later on 1 October 1942 they were sworn into the Navy as personnel with enlisted status. Though WRANS never exceeded 3000 enlisted women at one time, they were engaged in a variety of jobs, including telegraphists, coders, drivers, cooks, air liaison officers and education officers. They also worked in ciphers, signals and communications, radio telegraphy plotting, and as messengers. Others were with the Radar Counter-measure, Allied Intelligence Bureau and Censorship Officers. SignificanceThe shorts are a rare, representative example of designs produced in Australia by Jantzen for WRANS members during the 1960s and 1970s. They formed part of the physical training uniform used by Margaret White during her service in WRANS from 1968 to 1972.