Navy Officers’ Mess : Wardroom
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NAVY WARDROOM
Why a “Navy Officers’ Mess” is called a “Wardroom”
Musings of a Navy Veteran
By
VIKRAM KARVE
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WARDROOM
Sometime ago — a young Army Officer asked me why a Navy Officers’ Mess is called a Wardroom
I had asked the same question to a senior Naval Officer long ago — in the 1970’s — when I joined the Navy.
Here is the answer:
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The Genesis of the term WARDROOM
(“Wardroom” is a “Navy Officers’ Mess”)
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In the 18th Century — in the British Royal Navy — warships had a large compartment called “WARDROBE”.
This compartment — the “Wardrobe” — was used for storing “prizes of war”, booty and valuables — plundered from foreign ships at sea and looted in conquests on shores of other countries.
The wardrobe was generally located near the officers’ accommodation (cabins).
When the wardrobe was empty — especially during the outward voyage — the officers began using this “wardrobe” compartment for dining and lounging — to have their meals — and to congregate and pass time together.
As the days of plundering and looting ended — the wardrobe was used exclusively by officers as a lounge and for eating meals.
Gradually — the wardrobe became the officers’ mess and lounge — and having been elevated from a “closet” to a “room” — instead of “Ward Robe” — it was now called the “Ward Room”.
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Whereas — Officers dined in the Wardroom — Sailors dined in “Messes” on board Warships.
When it first appeared in English — “mess” meant a portion of food
(from the Old French word “mes” which means “a dish”)
Later — “mess” came to refer to a group of people, who sat together at a meal and were served from the same dishes.
In warships — a group of sailors would sit together at one table and were served from the same dishes — in a “mess”, and those who habitually sat together were messmates.
There is one “wardroom” for officers on a warship — but — depending on the size of the ship — there may be many separate department-wise “mess-rooms” for junior sailors — and — one or two senior sailors’ mess-rooms.
Soon — the term “mess-room” was itself later contracted to “mess”.
So now — in the Navy — a modern warship has a “wardroom” for Officers — and — “messes” for Sailors.
In the Navy — even commissioned establishments ashore (Stone Frigates) are referred to as “ships” — and therefore — even Naval Shore Establishments have “Wardrooms”.
The Army and Air Force have Officers’ Messes.
To put it in a nutshell — let us say that: –
a “Wardroom” is a “Navy Officers’ Mess”
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Dear Reader:
To know more about the military institution of The Officers’ Mess click the link below:
https://karve.wordpress.com/2021/04/10/the-officers-mess-a-military-institution-2/
https://karve.wordpress.com/2017/07/13/the-officers-mess-a-military-institution/
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A Wardroom or Officers Mess’ is a happy place where you can forget about rank differences and you can interact freely and informally with your fellow officers.
I have had the best of times and made the best of friends in Navy Wardrooms and Army Officers’ Messes.
From time to time — I have been telling you about my glorious days in the Navy — and I am sure you have read a few of those “humor in uniform” nostalgic yarns I keep writing — right here in my blog.
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Till next time — Cheers and Godspeed !!!
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VIKRAM KARVE
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Link to my original post in my Blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/11/why-navy-officers-mess-is-called.html and in my writing blog at url: https://karve.wordpress.com/2021/04/10/the-officers-mess-a-military-institution-2/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2021/04/17/wardroom-why-a-navy-officers-mess-is-called-a-wardroom/ etc
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