Shortly before her 21st birthday, Dorothy ‘Judy’ Everard enlisted in the Women’s Royal New Zealand Naval Service (WRNZNS) for service during the Second World War. She joined as a Probationary Wren on the 1 April 1943 to serve as a Sick Berth Attendant/ Dental Assistant. She was promoted to Qualified Wren in July that year. Everard was posted to HMNZS Philomel for the duration of her service where she worked in the Dental/Sick Quarters. As part of her work, she assisted the dental surgeons in the operating theatre. In January 1945 she registered as a volunteer for relief services abroad, but was never called up.
The War Medal 1939-45 was awarded across the British Commonwealth to all full-time members of the Armed Forces in the Second World War for 28 days service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945, irrespective of where they were serving. The ribbon is the red, white, and blue of the (British) Union Flag. There is a narrow central red stripe with a narrow white stripe on either side. There are broad red stripes at either edge, the two intervening stripes being blue.
A bronze oak leaf on the medal ribbon denotes that the recipient was Mentioned in Despatches. To be Mentioned in Despatches a member of the armed forces had their name mentioned in an official report, written by a superior officer, and sent to a higher command. The report would describe the individual’s gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy.
The New Zealand War Service Medal was awarded for 28 days’ full time service or six months’ part time service in the Second World War in any of the New Zealand Armed Forces including the Reserves, Naval Auxiliary Patrol Service, or Home Guard, between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.
