World War 2 veteran honoured on her 102nd birthday
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.
Among her published titles are Tain Through the Centuries, co-authored with her late husband R W Munro, and The Founding of Tobermory.
Relative David Dean said: “Jean has always shown a quiet but exceptional kindness to the younger generations of our family. Although she had no children of her own, she never forgot her late cousin Elizabeth’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, marking every Christmas with generous book tokens and a warm encouragement to choose something they would truly enjoy. Her gentle interest in what the youngest generation are reading reflects the lifelong thoughtfulness and commitment to education that has shaped her whole life.”
Jean and Elizabeth were first cousins, born one week apart and shared many close times together, latterly living three doors apart in Nethy, and a passion for golf and scrabble.
To listen to the VE Day podcast featuring Jean Munro, visit podfollow.com/parklands
