Betty Webb (code breaker) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Betty Webb
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| Birth name | Charlotte Elizabeth Vine-Stevens |
| Born | 13 May 1923 Richard's Castle, Herefordshire, England |
| Died | 31 March 2025 (aged 101) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Auxiliary Territorial Service |
| Service years | 1941–1945 |
| Awards | |
Charlotte Elizabeth Webb (born Vine-Stevens; 13 May 1923 – 31 March 2025) was an amazing English code breaker. She worked at Bletchley Park during World War II, starting when she was just 18 years old. In 1941, she joined the British Auxiliary Territorial Service, a special group for women helping in the war. Betty once said about joining the super-secret mission at Bletchley, "I wanted to do something more for the war effort than bake sausage rolls."
Early Life and Training
Betty Webb was born on 13 May 1923, in a place called Ryecroft, in Richard's Castle, Herefordshire. Her real name was Charlotte, just like her mother, but everyone called her "Betty." She often said her childhood was 'idyllic,' which means perfect and peaceful. She was taught at home by her mother for much of her younger years.
When World War II began, Betty was studying Domestic Science at Radbrook College in Shrewsbury. As soon as she turned 18 in May 1941, she quickly joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service. She did her basic training at Hightown Barracks in Wrexham. After that, she had an interview in London and was then sent straight to Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire.
Working at Bletchley Park
When Betty arrived at Bletchley Park, her job was to help sort and organize secret German radio messages. These messages were intercepted by the British and were key to breaking the German Enigma code. This was a huge step in helping the Allies win the war.
While many workers at Bletchley Park were in specific huts, Betty mainly worked in the Mansion and Block F. In the Mansion, she helped register messages on small cards. She believed they handled about 10,000 cards a day across the whole park! These cards were carefully organized into shoeboxes so they could be found quickly when needed.
Later, in Block F, Betty worked on Japanese messages that had been secretly intercepted. She was so good at this that she was even sent to Washington to help the American war effort.
Everyone who joined Bletchley Park had to sign the Official Secrets Act. This meant they could not tell anyone, not even their families or friends, what they did there. The work was so secret that Betty and others only truly understood the full importance of their work when the secrecy rules were partly lifted in the late 1970s.
Later Life and Achievements
Betty Webb received special honors for her important work. In 2015, she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This award recognized her efforts in helping people remember and understand the amazing work done at Bletchley Park. In 2021, the French government also honored her by making her a Knight of the Legion of Honour, which is a very high award in France.
From 2020, Betty was an ambassador for Operation Bletchley. This project involves walking and code-breaking challenges that raise money for the Army Benevolent Fund, a charity that helps soldiers and their families.
Betty lived in Worcestershire, England. In May 2023, she turned 100 years old! She celebrated her birthday with a big party at Bletchley Park. A special moment was a flypast by an Avro Lancaster bomber, a famous World War II plane. She was also invited to King Charles's coronation on 6 May 2023, where she sat in the front row.
Betty Webb passed away on 31 March 2025, at the age of 101. Her contributions to code-breaking during World War II helped change history.
See also
- Women in Bletchley Park
- List of women in Bletchley Park
