Bletchley Park Codebreaker and War Hero Betty Webb Dies at 101

Charlotte “Betty” Webb MBE, a celebrated codebreaker from Bletchley Park who dedicated much of her life to military service and historical preservation, has passed away at the age of 101.

The Women’s Royal Army Corps Association confirmed her death on Monday, marking the loss of one of the last surviving members of Bletchley Park’s wartime team.

Webb served at Bletchley Park from 1941 to 1945 as a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). Her role involved indexing German messages and paraphrasing Japanese signals to ensure operational security. Later, she contributed to the war effort in the Pacific by paraphrasing Japanese messages at The Pentagon in Washington, D.C. For her service, she was awarded France’s highest honor, the Légion d’Honneur, in 2021.

Born in Wythall, Worcestershire, Webb was studying domestic science near Shrewsbury when she and her classmates decided to join the war effort rather than continue their studies. After basic training in Wrexham, she was recruited to Bletchley Park, initially working as a secretary before advancing to paraphrasing in F Block.

Photo: Bletchley Park.

As a German speaker, Webb’s responsibilities included taking decrypted messages and restructuring them into a form that, if intercepted, would not reveal that enemy transmissions were being deciphered. The sheer volume of work was immense, with Bletchley Park processing around 10,000 messages per day.

In May 1945, she was transferred to Washington, D.C., to assist with decoding Japanese communications in the final months of the Pacific War. Her work remained classified until 1975, meaning she never had the chance to share her experiences with her parents before they passed away.

Following declassification, Webb became an advocate for preserving the history of Bletchley Park. She gave talks to schools and organizations, authored a book on her experiences, and was honored with an MBE in 2015 for her efforts in historical preservation. In recognition of her contributions, she was invited to attend King Charles III's coronation in 2023, where she had a front-row seat.

The Women’s Royal Army Corps Association paid tribute, saying, “Betty inspired women in the Army for decades, and we will continue to take pride in her service during WWII and beyond.”

Photo: Bletchley Park.

Bletchley Park also honored her memory, stating, “Betty’s passion for preserving the history and legacy of Bletchley Park has inspired many to engage with its story. Her contributions will never be forgotten.”

Iain Standen, Chief Executive of Bletchley Park Trust, expressed sadness at her passing, highlighting her role in ensuring the legacy of the wartime codebreakers: “Whether through media interviews, events, or books, Betty has been instrumental in spreading the story of Bletchley Park for many years. Her warmth, dedication, and exceptional work will be remembered.”

Webb leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, historical advocacy, and inspiration to future generations.