Newnham and Bletchley Park: Women’s Work in World War II

Women were the backbone of Bletchley Park during World War Two, making up 75% of the workforce at its peak in January 1945, yet their stories have largely gone untold. A new exhibition unveiled earlier this year tells the incredible story of Newnham College women’s war work, at Bletchley Park and beyond. More than 70 students and alumnae were secretly recruited for World War Two codebreaking work at Bletchley Park, thanks partly to the personal connections of three Newnham women, Alda Milner-Barry, former Principal Pernel Strachey and Ray Strachey.

One of the more surprising discoveries of the women recruited, made up of both alumnae and current students who needed to interrupt their studies, was the range of expertise amongst them; from mathematicians, modern linguists, classicists, historians, to English graduates and more. The women were involved in nearly all key areas of intelligence work carried out at Bletchley Park, playing a crucial role in deciphering Enigma. The breadth and depth of their contributions is considered and goes far beyond the often-populist narrative of singular and siloed skill sets.

The role of Newnham women in the vital work at Bletchley Park has emerged slowly and piecemeal through painstaking historical research, as the women involved were sworn to secrecy, the need for which continued after the war ended when Cold War tension followed the armed conflict, meaning many had never even told their families of their contributions and involvement. And more continue to be unveiled as the work continues, prompted in part by the success of this exhibition and the attention it has drawn.

The Newnham stories showcased in this exhibition have been uncovered by alumna Dr Sally Waugh (NC 1973), historian and Fellow Emerita Dr Gillian Sutherland, and College Archivist Frieda Midgley, who worked closely with staff at Bletchley Park.

Find out more about the exhibition on our website (newn.cam.ac.uk/newnham-news/research-uncovers-secrets-newnham-women-sent-codebreak-bletchley-park) and listen to the Bletchley Park podcast interview with our three researchers (https://bletchleypark.org.uk/our-story/e163-the-women-of-newnham-college/).

*Please book on to a 10 minute timed slot via the booking link. The last timed slot will be 3.10pm*