Three Able Seamen in their new uniforms

Sailors of the Royal Navy

The crew of a ship was all male. Members of the Women's Royal Naval Service (W.R.N.S) served on shore only, until the 1980s. The number of crew on board a ship varied, but HMS Belfast had a crew of 970 during the war years. 

If the ship was to work and fight properly, the crew needed to be properly organised. This was done by a system of 'Divisions' with each 'Division' on the ship being controlled by a Divisional Officer. Everyone on board had a particular 'trade' or job such as engineer, gun operator, baker or plumber.