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Bletchley code breaker Betty Webb dies aged 101

(www.bbc.com)
496 points danso | 1 comments | 01 Apr 25 12:55 UTC | HN request time: 0.228s | source
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icosian ◴[01 Apr 25 15:23 UTC] No.43547907[source]▶
Only about a dozen years ago Bletchley was inviting former codebreakers back for an annual reunion. I used to go along to hear the talks, meet some of them and get books signed, including by Betty Webb. I'm glad they eventually got the recognition they deserved.

We have almost lost the chance now to hear personal testimony of WWII. I've met several Battle of Britain pilots too, but the last died in Dublin recently:

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/0318/1502596-hemingway/

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1. sys32768 ◴[01 Apr 25 17:31 UTC] No.43549432[source]▶
Two years ago my mother's memory care home had an American Battle of the Bulge veteran and Bronze Star winner who was sharp as a tack.

He was 99 and said he just wanted to live to be 100, but sadly he didn't make it.

I remember my late grandmother telling us they had made mittens for my great uncle, but he died in that battle before the mittens arrived.

Crazy to think I passed up my chance to have a cup of coffee with a man who might have fought beside my great uncle.