MORE THAN 100 people turned out for the funeral of Betty Webb MBE who carried out crucial work at Bletchley Park during the Second World War.
As the hearse pulled outside Redditch Crematorium on Tuesday, there were several standard bearers and uniformed personnel waiting to welcome the vehicle and a large crowd outside.
The Wythall resident’s medals were proudly displayed in the car at the back of the coffin.
Picture copyright Bullivant Media Group Ltd. sIn 2019 Betty was made an MBE for the role she played in ensuring Bletchley Park and the work done there was highlighted and remembered.
In 2021 she was presented with the Legion d’Honneur – France’s highest award – for helping liberate our cross-Channel friends.
The service
The crematorium was full with all seats taken and others standing around the edge to provide a fond final farewell to the war hero.
As well as family and friends, among the guests were former servicemen and women, representatives from organisations, including Royal British Legion, the Court Leet and the Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC), the Bletchley Park Trust and others.
Also present were councillors, current Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas and former Bromsgrove MP and ex Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Sajid Javid and his wife Lady Javid.
The service was conducted by celebrant Judy Dyke during which Betty’s incredible life story was told.
There were tributes from Babs Anderson and Col Ali Brown OBE from the WRAC and Iain Standen, CEO of the Bletchley Park Trust.
Two hymns were also sung – I Vow to Thee My Country and The Lord’s My Shepherd.
Betty’s life
Betty with her Legion D’Honneur. Picture by Tristan Harris.Charlotte ‘Betty’ Webb joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service at the age of 18 and was stationed at Bletchley Park, the famous codebreaking arm of the British intelligence services.
As a German speaker, Mrs Webb was tasked with decoding and translating German ‘Enigma’ messages, handling some of the first intelligence messages on the Holocaust.
Upon joining the ATS – the women’s branch of the military at the time – Betty signed the Official Secrets Act, which prevented her from talking about her work at Bletchley Park until 1975.
After that she wrote a memoir, as well as receiving the MBE, for promoting Bletchley Park.
Bletchley ParkBetty Webb is off to the Abbey for the Coronation. Picture by Marcus Mingins 1723010MMR www.buyphotos247.com
Betty also attended the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
She passed away at the age of 101 on March 31.
‘Honoured to be there’
Jo Slade, who was among the many to attend the funeral, said: “I was honoured to represent the Court Leet, Friends of St John’s and Bromsgrove Society at the funeral of a wonderful, one of a kind lady, who I’d been privileged to meet a number of times.
“All the tributes given were full of fondness and admiration for a strong, upstanding lady who was always encouraging of others, humble of her own contribution whilst being an inspiration, and friend, to everyone who met her.
“Betty’s contribution to the country really was outstanding, not only during the war as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park and at the Pentagon, but as an active member of the local community and a representative for Bletchley Park, spreading the stories and increasing everyone’s understanding of the important work which took place there.
“She will always be remembered fondly and with gratitude.”
