Joan Jacobsson

We were very departmentalized: we knew there was brilliant boffins’ working away in the main buildings, but we never met them or any other civilians. We Wrens were ‘bussed’ to and from Woburn Abbey, where we were very well looked after- what food we ate compared with ordinary citizens! We felt really proud and privileged to be working (as cogwheels) with the Enigma organisation. But what hard work it was: total concern – fraction was difficult at 4am, especially if we had hitch-hiked up to London and back on our free day.
In these last days of the war we all felt much more light-hearted, there was hope for the future after the terrible years, especially during the North African campaign, when it seemed as though the Axis powers might win.  I made some good friends at Bletchley Park and I really enjoyed my time there. But as I worked and I lived abroad from 1953, I have lost touch with them, except for two old friendships. Most of us, of course are on our way out now.