The Girls' Nautical Training Corps

This collection comprises of a large scrapbook, contents of which include newspaper cuttings and photographs relating to the Girls' Nautical Training Corps, a programme of display by Northern Area Units of the Girls’ Nautical Training Corps, a training syllabus for the Girls’ Nautical Training Corp, and training instructions for the Girls’ Nautical Training Corps.

Related materials:
Minutes of the Girls’ Nautical Training Corps Executive Committee, 1971-1980 (MSY/6/3/9/1; MSY/6/2/9/1);
Photographs relating to cadet training ships, 1946-1957 (MSY/6/7/2/1);
Photographs of the National Association of Training Corps for Girls officers’ tea party at Admiralty House, 1955 (MSY/6/7/2/3);
Photographs of the Festival of Britain Rally of the National Association of Training Corps for Girls, 1951 (MSY/6/7/2/2);
Photographs relating to boat training at Raven's Ait, 1959 (MSY/6/7/2/5);
Photographs of the 'Anchors Aweigh' display at Seymour Hall, London, 1956 (MSY/6/7/2/4);
Photographs of other Girls' Nautical Training Corps events, circa 1950-1960 (MSY/6/7/2/6);
Pamphlets, circa 1960-1974 (MSY/6/6/1/6; MSY/6/5/1/6).

Related materials held elsewhere:
Display programme for "Anchors Away", www.canterbury-cathedral.org (CCA-U467/K/10/1);
Girl's Nautical Training Corps: Admiralty recognition (ADM 1/26617), The National Archives;
Affiliation of Girls' Nautical Training Corps with Sea Cadet Corps, (ADM 1/28726) The National Archives;
Girls' Nautical Training Corps: request to use ships' names for registered units (ADM/1/23781), The National Archives.

Administrative / biographical background
The Girls' Naval Training Corps (GNTC) was formed in 1942, with units initially mainly in Southern England.  Its objective was congruent with that of the Sea Cadet Corps; teaching girls aged between 14 and 20 years, seamanship skills in preparation for service with the Women's Royal Naval Service. By 1945 it had changed its name to the Girls' Nautical Training Corps. Lady Pamela Mountbatten was Corps Commandant 1952-1959. The Girls’ Nautical Training Corps became a colleague organisation with the Sea Cadet Corps in 1963, often sharing facilities such as Raven's Ait (then also known as TS (Training Ship, Neptune). The GNTC became a full member of the Sea Cadet Organisation in March 1980, when the Ministry of Defence approved the admission of girls into the Sea Cadets, which in turn led to a name change to Girls Nautical Training Contingent. This continued until 1992 when the organisation was absorbed, and all girls became members of the Sea Cadet Corps.