Lorelle Henderson Corbin

Lorelle Henderson Corbin, (3 June 1916 – 13 March 1995) was a New Zealand clerk and naval officer. Born in Adelaide in Australia, she moved to New Zealand with her family in 1925. During the Second World War, she served in the Women's Royal New Zealand Naval Service as a Wren. In 1947, she became director of the organisation, leading it until her retirement in 1963. She died in Wellington in 1995 at the age of 78.

Early life Lorelle Henderson Corbin was born in Adelaide in the state of South Australia, Australia, on 3 June 1916. Her father was Horace Corbin, a lecturer at the University of Adelaide. The Corbin family moved to New Zealand in 1925 when Horace took up a professorship in forestry at the University of Auckland. Educated at Diocesan High School for Girls, she became a clerk at New Zealand Tung Oil Corporation after completing her schooling.

Second World War

In April 1942, the Women's Royal New Zealand Naval Service (WRNZNS), its personnel becoming known as Wrens, was established for women wanting to enter naval service. Corbin, one of its earliest recruits, was stationed in Auckland as a clerk-typist. By September the following year she had been promoted to fourth officer and was assisting in the management of around 200 Wrens in the Auckland region. In contrast to most of the personnel under her charge, who were based at the barracks at the Devonport Naval Base, she lived in Remuera with her parents. In July 1945, she was selected for training in anticipation of service with the British Pacific Fleet but the posting never eventuated due to the end of the Second World War. Corbin was requested to lead the organisation. She faced some initial difficulties; Wrens were recruited on six-month contracts, since the RNZN believed the manpower shortage would only be temporary. It was not until 1950, when legislation was passed formally integrating the WRNZNS into the RNZN, that this situation was resolved.

After attending the Coronation Parade in London for Elizabeth II in 1953, Corbin was promoted to first officer. She was now based in Wellington at the Navy Office as the director of the WRNZNS. She retired from the service in 1963. The number of serving Wrens during her period as director was never particularly high; in the 1960s there were less than 50 personnel.

Later life Shortly after leaving the WRNZNS, Corbin married John Lord in Auckland. The couple later lived in Wellington. Corbin retained an interest in the WRNZNS, being involved in the New Zealand Ex-Wrens Association and was present at the last parade of the organisation before it was dissolved in 1977; women were now able to serve in the RNZN. She died on 13 March 1995; her husband had predeceased her the previous year.