Description
Object description
British wren served with Women's Royal Naval Service at Stanmore Outstation of the Government Code and Cipher School, Bletchley Park, Stanmore, GB, 6/1943-5/1945
Content description
REEL 1 Background in GB, 1924-1943: family; education; knowledge of approaching war; declaraton of Second World War and first air raid warning, 3/9/1939; life in early stages of war; opinion of war; period as children's nurse in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Aspects of enlistment and training as wren with Women's Royal Naval Service in GB, 4/1943-6/1943: decision to join Women's Royal Naval Service; process of enlistment; reaction to drafting to in Mill Hill, London; pattern of basic training; settling into service and background of fellow recruits; recreational activities; discipline; relations with fellow recruits; uniform. Recollections of period as wren with Stanmore Outstation of the Government Code and Cipher School at Bletchley Park, Stanmore, GB, 6/1943-5/1945: journey to Stanmore; reception and accommodation; shifts; leave in London; description of Bombe decoding machines.
REEL 2 Continues: operation of Bombe decoding machine; checking of work at Bletchley Park; knowledge of work; question of difficulty of work; technicians; further details of operation of Bombe decoding machine including display of results; checking results; setting drums in Bombe decoding machine; need to take care in work; attending Bombe decoding machine; question of volume of work in a shift; knowledge of results; secrecy of work; discipline; oustation staff; nature of work; morale; name of bay and machine; degree of knowledge of Enigma and other stations.
REEL 3 Continues: delivery of work to Bletchley Park; secrecy; knowledge of war's progress; dismantling of machines, 5/1945; V1 Flying Bomb raids, 1944; VE Day celebrations, 5/1945; duties at Chelsea and Chatham; demobilisation. Reflections on service wiith Women's Royal Naval Service: organisation of Royal Navy; reason for joining Royal Navy; personal character prior to service; sister's war service; memories of childhood; story of recent visit to Bletchley Park; further details of Stanmore Outstation.