In March we welcomed Dr Phil Judkins by Zoom, an internationally acknowledged expert on the history of radar, radio interception and electronic warfare. His work has featured in daily papers, film and television. We heard one of his most requested talks “Women are Deadlier than the Male”.
Phil described the astounding roles undertaken by women in both world wars at home and abroad. Some very unexpected and some almost unbelievable, except they actually happened.
Nurses on the front line such as Edith Cavell saved lives of many soldiers of all nationalities. She also paid the ultimate price when shot by firing squad. We heard about code breaker’s intercepting messages, a highly secretive activity during the 1st World War and at the TOP SECRET Bletchley Park.
Women making ammunition shells in the first and second World Wars where one spark could set off an explosion.
The last Veteran WAAF aged 110 made us smile when she was quoted as saying, “Being a waitress in the RAF Officers Mess was the best position with all the fit Pilots around”.
The relatively unknown roles played by so many women in wartime, past and present Wars made an enormous impact, and they were not seeking glory for doing it.
Bletchley Park
Phil’s Research Assistant Bryony Norburn asked us if any of us were aware of any members of our family who worked at Bletchley Park? The top secret forerunner of GCHQ and famous for cracking the Enigma Code. Some members knew of family members who worked there but unfortunately non are now alive. Bryony spoke about the Roll of Honour on the Bletchley Park website . It is possible to check on names of those who worked there – kept secret for many decades.
Altogether a very thought provoking and enjoyable evening. Please email sihandd@hotmail.co.uk for more information about the club.