29/05/2026
Rest in love Nancy 💛
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We sadly acknowledge the passing of Nancy ‘Pat’ Clothier at the age of 106.
Nancy was born in Christchurch on 11 April 1920. In 1942 on her 22nd birthday, the establishment of the WRNZNS was approved by the War Cabinet.
Nancy was amongst the first group of women to be enlisted into the WRNZNS and entered service as a Probationary Wren at HMNZS Philomel on 15 July 1942 and issued service number 11.
She would serve as a Shorthand Typist and then Telegraphist.
She was first based in Wellington at the Naval Office as a typist but then was transferred to the naval radio station in Waiouru as a Telegraphist. She was confirmed as an Able Wren then promoted to Petty Officer Wren.
With the demobilising of the RNZN she remained in service in the immediate postwar period until her service engagement ended on15 April 1946. She was one of the first and one of the longest serving Wrens in the Second World War.
