Betty Webb, Bletchley Park Codebreaker, Passes Away at 101

Charlotte "Betty" Webb, a pivotal figure in the decryption efforts at Bletchley Park during World War II, died on Monday at the age of 101. Known for her work in deciphering encrypted German and Japanese messages from 1941 to 1945, Webb was one of the last surviving members of this crucial operation. Her passing was confirmed by both the Women's Royal Army Corps Association and the Bletchley Park Trust.

At just 18, Webb joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service and was soon designated to work at Bletchley Park—a center renowned for its codebreaking efforts against the Axis powers. Initially studying domestic sciences, she felt compelled to aid her country as the war escalated. Reflecting on her journey, she noted, “Several of us decided that we ought to be serving our country rather than just making sausage rolls.”

Her work at Bletchley Park was instrumental in providing critical intelligence that helped Allied forces navigate German submarine attacks. Webb's contributions did not go unrecognized; she received several honors for her service, including being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2015 and being awarded France's Légion d’Honneur in 2021. Her legacy not only underscores the vital contributions of women during the war but also the importance of intelligence work in securing victory.