Tributes are flowing for Ruth Bourne, a celebrated Second World War codebreaker from Bletchley Park, who has passed away at the age of 98. The news was confirmed by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, which hailed her contribution to breaking the Nazis' Enigma cipher as "truly historic".
A Vital Role in a Secret War
Ruth Bourne, from High Barnet in north London, served in the Women's Royal Naval Service, known as the Wrens. Her wartime service saw her posted to sites around Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire, where she worked as both an operator and a checker on the formidable Bombe machines.
These electro-mechanical devices, originally developed by the pioneering Alan Turing, were crucial for deciphering the settings of the complex Naval Enigma code. This code was considered unbreakable by hand at the time. The intelligence gleaned from decoded messages allowed British forces to act swiftly, contributing to key military victories and preventing an estimated millions of deaths by shortening the war.
A Legacy of Courage and Innovation
The work of Bourne and her colleagues did more than secure military advantage; it sparked a revolution in technology. The efforts at Bletchley Park led to the industrialisation of codebreaking and helped lay the foundational principles for the modern computer.
Hundreds of Wrens operated the Bombe machines around the clock in a monumental effort. In 2018, France recognised Bourne's immense service by awarding her the Legion d'honneur, the nation's highest military honour. She was also pictured in 2011 with Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, examining a German Enigma machine.
Remembering a Remarkable Woman
The charity's tribute painted a picture of a woman whose impact extended far beyond her technical duties. "Ruth was a remarkable woman with immense charm and charisma, and she will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her," their statement read.
Her death marks the passing of another direct link to one of the most pivotal secret endeavours of the 20th century. The story of Ruth Bourne and the Bletchley Park team remains a powerful testament to unsung heroism, intellectual brilliance, and the profound difference one dedicated group of people can make to the course of history.
