Patricia Bridgen Farley was a Wren (Womens Royal Naval Service) stationed at Portkil, Near Kilcreggan, Scotland during World War II, living in a house affectionately known to the group of Wrens that were based there as 'The Barn'. The Wrens came to be known as the 'Barnites'.

If you've ever been in the service, you will know the golden rule. Never Volunteer! Unfortunately I did, and it gave me terrible scare. After John (My future husband) had landed on the continent and he was able to send me some V (as in victory) mail, our correspondence began again.

I told him I had put in a request for a transfer to work at a base in France. I had told the naval authorities on my request form that I was fluent in French (Having returned only a few years ago, 1939, from a year in Switzerland), and could be of some help as the Allies moved further into Europe. Not exactly the right thing to do.
   
The Navy didn't bother to read my wish to go to France. Any volunteer should go where he/she is needed, seemed to be their motto. I received an official document, stating I was being transferred to the Wren outfit in Trincomalee, in Ceylon, now called Sri Lanka.

I was flabbergasted, and soon in tears. I would be even farther away from John and, besides, I knew that the Germans had sunk an earlier ship taking Wrens through the Indian Ocean. What could I do? I became a rebel, and refused to obey the order. Consequently, I was ordered to appear before a Wren tribunal in Gourock at a stated date.

I went over in the ferry, and think that one of the other Wrens accompanied me. I know I must have needed moral support at that awful time. I pleaded my case tearfully, told the Wren officers that I was engaged to an American Army officer fighting in Europe, who had applied for leave to return to England to marry me. I didn't want to be sent so far way at such a time apologised for asking for a transfer to France.
   
The naval panel took pity on me, probably figuring that I wouldn't be much good for the service, pining away in Ceylon, and not doing my job. I was excused from that duty, but not before I had lost a lot of weight worrying about the outcome. The decision took about a week to reach me.

Poor John had been very worried when he finally received my letters about the affair. But on the subject of commission, he was very much in favour of me pushing for it.

The request had come from Helensburgh for us Wrens at Portkil to apply for officer status. I never heard anything more about it. They must have known I wouldn't have gone abroad even with the treasured tricorne hat sitting on my little head!