Danish teenager's heartfelt letter to Grantown war veteran

23 February 2026

A wartime codebreaker from Bletchley Park living in Grantown has received a moving letter of thanks from a teenager in Denmark who discovered her service on social media.

Sixteen year old Jonathan from Zealand in Denmark, was so inspired after reading about Dr Jean Munro's top-secret work at Bletchley Park that he wrote her a heartfelt letter expressing his gratitude for her generation's sacrifices.

"I recently read about your service during the war, and I was deeply moved," Jonathan wrote. "I felt a strong need to express my heartfelt gratitude for everything you and your comrades did."

Dr Munro, a resident at Lynemore Care Home, was a member of Hut 6 at Bletchley Park during World War Two, helping to decipher German Army and Air Force Enigma messages. Historians believe their codebreaking work may have shortened the war by two to four years, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of lives. She was unable to tell her family and friends about her work until the 1980s.

Jonathan discovered Dr Munro's story through a Facebook post by the Veterans' Foundation and was inspired to reach out to her.

"Even though we are separated by hundreds of kilometres and several generations, I want you to know that a young person far away holds the deepest respect and appreciation for you," he wrote. "Please know that the younger generations have not forgotten your efforts, and we never will."

Pamela Cummings, manager of Lynemore said: "Jean was deeply touched to receive Jonathan’s letter. She is incredibly modest about her wartime service, but we are all very proud of her. It’s lovely to see her contribution, and that of her generation, recognised by someone so much younger. The letter was a wonderful surprise and meant a great deal to her, especially knowing a young man so far away took the time to write and thank her for her service."

In December, Dr Munro was awarded the Freedom of Bletchley Park, a rare honour conferred by the Bletchley Park Trust, as she celebrated her 102nd birthday. She was also presented with a specially made Veteran's pin badge.

Born in 1923 to Scottish parents, Dr Munro went on to become a distinguished historian and author after the war, holding senior roles with several heritage organisations including the National Trust for Scotland and serving as President of The Grantown Society.