WORLD War Two codebreaker Ruth Bourne, who worked with Alan Turing to crack the German Enigma code, has died aged 99.
Ms Bourne, grew up in Birmingham but later lived in High Barnet, north London, before she joined the Wrens (Women’s Royal Naval Service) in WWII.
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Ms Bourne was hailed as a ‘true hero’ as tributes flooded inCredit: PA
The work carried out by Ruth Bourne and other Bletchley staff helped save millions of livesCredit: PA
In 2011 Ms Bourne showed Queen Elizabeth II how to start the Enigma codebreaking machineCredit: PA
She worked at various sites around Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire as a Bombe machine operator and checker.
Alongside others, Ms Bourne was chosen to work at the secret site to intercept and decode Nazi messages as part of the war effort.
In 2018 Ms Bourne was awarded France’s highest military honour, the Legion d’honneur, in recognition of her service.
Ms Bourne was described as “intelligent, creative, and witty” as her family paid tribute after her death.
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Her grandchild Bee Bentall said: “It was our family’s privilege to share Ruth with the world.
“My grandmother was such a bright spark: intelligent, creative, and witty.
“She was always delighted to give her time to educating others about her codebreaking contributions at RAF Eastcote, and she volunteered for decades at Bletchley Park giving tours.
“She lives on in books, in her pottery and art, and in our memories.
“She will be dearly missed by all.”
Iain Standen, CEO of Bletchley Park Trust, said that Ms Bourne was “extremely proud of her contribution to the war effort” and for years had worked as a tour guide at Bletchley Park.
He went on: “Through countless reunions and interviews, she spoke about her work with honesty and warmth, bringing Bletchley Park’s story to life for audiences of all ages.
“She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her and remembered with immense gratitude and affection.”
In January 1945, at the peak of Britain’s codebreaking efforts, 8,995 personnel were working at Bletchley and its outstations.
Many of the women working on the secret military site came from middle-class backgrounds and held degrees in mathematics, physics and engineering.
Ruth Bourne (centre) returned to Bletchley alongside other former staff members for the annual reunionCredit: PA
Ruth Bourne was awarded France’s highest military honour for her serviceCredit: PA
The codebreaking work carried out at Bletchley Park changed the course of the war and saved millions of lives.
It enabled British intelligence to react more quickly and contributed to a number of key military victories during the war.
The work of the Bletchley staff also paved the way for the invention of the first forms of computers used today.
Like others who worked at Bletchley, Ms Bourne kept silent about her work for more than 35 years after signing the Official Secrets Act.
Ms Bourne worked alongside Alan TuringCredit: PA
