AN EVENING with Second World War code-cracker Betty Webb MBE proved to be a big draw when Ladies Circle members journeyed from all over the UK to hear her story.
Betty from Wythall shed light on her life as a decoder with the presentation ‘Life at Bletchley Park’ hosted by the Bromsgrove branch.
Guests who attending the sold-out evening at the Bromsgrove Hotel and Spa said Betty and her stories were an absolute delight to listen to, really bringing home the magnitude of how Britain was shaped following the end of the war.
A spokesperson for the group said: “This was a fitting time for Betty’s enlightening and humbling talk following the 75th anniversary of the D Day landings just a few days before.
“There is no better way to find out more of what really happened behind the scenes than to listen to the first hand experience of one of the decoders who worked at Bletchley Park.”
Betty joined the Women’s Royal Army Corps and, because she was bi-lingual, she was was transferred to Bletchley Park.
The centre was deliberately housed in the mansion in the middle of nowhere to keep it well-hidden from Germain aircraft and bombs.
Betty spoke about being made to sign the Secrets Act, meaning she was unable to speak to her nearest and dearest about what she was doing and where she was going, until 1975.
Betty decoded Japanese messages and paraphrased them so they could be sent to the frontline.
Betty and the team’s work helped soldiers to make alternative decisions and became essential to winning the war.
“This lady is truly a part of our history,” added the spokesperson.
Bromsgrove Ladies Circle raised over £400 on the evening for the 2019 chosen charity this year – the Worcestershire Bereavement Suite Appeal.
Ladies Circle is an organisation for women aged 18 to 45 with focus on friendship and fund-raising.
Email [email protected] or visit the Bromsgrove Ladies Circle Facebook page for more information.
