103. urodziny Brytyjki, która pomogła złamać kod Enigmy
EN_01630839_0004
EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR SUP
WORDS BYLINE: Deborah Cicurel
A 103-year-old woman has revealed how she helped crack the Enigma code during the Second World War - and has shared her secret to living a long life.
Doreen Brooks, who moved to Anchor’s Millfield care home earlier this year, was previously given her purple plaque in honour and recognition of her incredible service during the Second World War.
The Oldham care home resident was born in 1921 and was once employed on the team that was tasked with intercepting German messages.
Once intercepted, the team would log the messages and transfer them across to the British Intelligence Service at Bletchley Park.
It was here that Alan Turing’s ‘Enigma cracking’ machine would decode them.
However, Doreen has revealed that they didn’t know what they were working on - and only found out 70 years later.
“I grew up in Heald Green with my mother Beatrice, father Hamlet, and two brothers,” Doreen remembers.
“I still lived there when the war broke out.
“I was 21 when I was called up and went into the auxiliary territorial service.
“I was trained for eight months in Morse code on the Isle of Man.
“I wasn’t told I was helping crack the Enigma Code.
“I didn’t find out until it was made public 70 years later!
“When I received my purple plaque, I said ‘why is this for me? I haven’t done anything special!’.
“It was a welcome surprise, and I am very grateful.”
In addition to her work on the Enigma code, Doreen has other vivid memories of the war.
One day, she was walking to her father’s shop in Moston when a German bomber plane came flying over at rooftop level.
She says she will never forget the moment she feared for her life, when her eyes locked with those of the pilot.
“I was walking back from the doctor on a Good Friday towards my father’s shop,” Doreen remembers.
“I recall hearing a loud roaring noise and looking around to see a German plane flying very low over the rooftops and shooting bullets towards me.
“I recall making eye contact with the pilot.
“I ran very fast around the back of the house fearing for my life.”
To celebrate reaching 103 years of age, Doreen was joined by fellow Millfield residents and Anchor care colleagues to celebrate the occasion.
Not only did she enjoy her homemade birthday cake, but she was presented with flowers by Anchor’s Millfield care home manager.
About her secret to living a long life, Doreen recommends keeping active by walking, climbing, and doing anything that keeps your body moving.
“I can’t believe I’m 103 but I don’t like to think about it too much!” Doreen adds.
“Live a healthy life by staying fit and active. Make sure you go through life with great interests and work for a living. Take the right path to stay out of trouble!”
For more information on Anchor’s Millfield care home, please visit https://www.anchor.org.uk/our-properties/millfield-oldham or contact 0800 731 2020
Featuring: Doreen Brooks
Where: Oldham, United Kingdom
When: 09 Sep 2024
Credit: Cover Images
**EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR SUPPLIER.**
2024-09-09
Cover Images/East News
Cover Images
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