Further investigation by the young officer revealed that offenders were given the option of being caned or being put on report to the Commanding Officer. This young officer was herself caned on a couple of occasions for serious breaches in her duty.
Another story involving WRNS ratings takes us to the island of Malta, still during the Second World War, where over two hundred of these girls were serving. Here the Commandant herself authorised girls to be caned. Canings were usually administered after the girls had changed into PT kit although in at least one case, where the offences were more serious, the girls concerned had their gym knickers pulled down.