A World War Two veteran who played a supporting role in Britain’s wartime intelligence efforts has been honoured as she marked her 102nd birthday.
Doctor Jean Munro, a resident at Lynemore Care Home in Grantown on Spey, was a member of Hut 6 at Bletchley Park, the team responsible for deciphering German Army and Air Force Enigma messages.
Earlier this year, Dr Munro took part in a podcast to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. In it, she revealed that she was unable to share details of her top-secret work with family and friends until the 1980s.
Historians believe that breaking the Enigma code may have shortened the war by two to four years, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of lives. “I never thought of it that way, but if I think about it now, I think I’m really glad,” she says.
In recognition of her service, Dr Munro has been awarded the Freedom of Bletchley Park, a rare honour conferred by the Bletchley Park Trust, and presented with a specially made Veteran’s pin badge.
Pamela Cummings, manager of Lynemore Care Home, said: “We feel deeply honoured to have celebrated not only this milestone birthday, but also the presentation of such an incredible honour in recognition of Jean’s vital work as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park. It was an emotional occasion to share this double celebration with Jean and her loved ones. She is a remarkable lady and a much-loved part of the Lynemore family.”
Dr Jean Munro was born in 1923 and raised in London by Scottish parents. She studied at university in London and later completed a PhD at Edinburgh University. A distinguished historian and author, she held senior roles with several leading heritage organisations, among them the Scottish History Society, the Scottish Local History Forum, the Scottish Genealogy Society, the National Trust for Scotland and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. She also served as President of The Grantown Society.
To listen to the VE Day podcast featuring Jean Munro, visit podfollow.com/parklands[vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38192″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”38190″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner]
