Dorothy Walsh served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) during the Second World War. For over 30 years, her vital codebreaking role remained a closely guarded secret — even from her own family. Dorothy joined the Wrens at the age of 16, leaving behind her pharmacy training for a secretive new role. She began her work at Stanmore — a Bletchley Park outstation — operating the bombe machine developed by Alan Turing.
Bound by the Official Secrets Act, Dorothy was unable to speak about her work, even to her family. For decades, she told others she was simply a “confidential writer”. It was only after a television documentary revealed the efforts at Bletchley that she finally shared her story with her husband and sons.
Her shifts were long, silent and intense.
It was noisy, hot and intense — no windows, and you wouldn’t be allowed to work in those conditions today
Despite the pressures, there were moments of lightness — including the time she unknowingly turned down a dance with film star Mickey Rooney, and a brief romance with a man later exposed as a spy.
