Betty Webb (code breaker) facts for kids

Charlotte Elizabeth Webb (born Vine-Stevens) was an amazing English code breaker. She worked at a top-secret place called Bletchley Park during World War II. She was only 18 years old when she started in 1941. Charlotte joined the British Auxiliary Territorial Service to help with the war. She once said she wanted to do "something more for the war effort than bake sausage rolls."

Early Life and Joining the War Effort

Charlotte was named after her mother, but everyone called her "Betty." She grew up in a lovely area near Richard's Castle in England. Betty was mostly taught at home by her mother.

When World War II began, she was studying domestic science. As soon as she turned 18 in May 1941, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service. After some basic training, she was sent for a special interview in London. From there, she went straight to Bletchley Park.

Working at Bletchley Park

At Bletchley Park, Betty's job was very important. She helped to break secret German codes. These codes were used by the German military to send messages. Breaking them helped the Allies win the war.

Betty's main task was to sort and catalogue encrypted German radio messages. She helped to break the famous German Enigma cipher. This was a huge puzzle that many clever people worked on.

Most workers at Bletchley Park were in special huts. But Betty worked in the Mansion and Block F. In the Mansion, she registered messages on small cards. She believed they handled 10,000 cards a day! These cards were carefully organized in shoeboxes. This made it easy to find them quickly when needed.

Later, in Block F, Betty worked on intercepted Japanese messages. She was so good at this that she was even sent to Washington. There, she helped the American war effort with her skills.

The Official Secrets Act

Everyone who worked at Bletchley Park had to sign the Official Secrets Act. This meant they could not tell anyone what they did. Not their families, not their friends, not even other workers at Bletchley Park. It was a huge secret!

Because of this strict secrecy, Betty and others didn't know the full story of Bletchley Park until much later. Only when the secret was finally lifted could they understand the amazing work they had been part of.

Honours and Later Life

Betty Webb received special awards for her important work. In 2015, she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This was for helping people remember and promote the work of Bletchley Park.

In 2021, the government of France also honored her. She was appointed a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour). This is one of France's highest awards.

Betty lived in Worcestershire, England. In 2023, she was invited to King Charles's coronation. She even sat in the front row! Betty turned 100 years old in May 2023. She passed away on March 31, 2025, at the age of 101.

See also

• Women in Bletchley Park