Speed calls the Royal Naval Reserve much smaller than the Army's reserve but no less essential to wartime readiness. Its duties included mine countermeasures, naval control of shipping, and communications. Against a planned strength of 6,750, the branch was about 1,500 people short. Improved training bounties and new minesweeping trawlers were intended to improve recruiting and retention. A new air branch sought fifty officer aircrew who had only recently left regular service, assigning them to augment frontline squadrons rather than form separate units. The reserve preserved recent specialist experience for rapid expansion instead of serving only as a pool of general manpower.
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Royal Naval Reserve roles from minesweeping to frontline aircrew
The reserve supplied mine countermeasures, shipping control, communications, and recently experienced aviators, but remained about 1,500 people below its planned strength.