Further to our investigations regarding my mothers service, my niece has been doing some research and has come up with the following information.
"HMS Westclliffe was the training centre for WRNS. WRNS personnel who served at HMS Pembroke III were involved in Signals Intelligence work. Stanmore was one of the largest outstations that housed the Bombe machines used for breaking the Enigma code, WRNS personnel would have operated these machines on a 24hr basis and it is likely that Margery was employed in this work. All Bombe operators working at Stanmore have the same path of service as her ie Mill Hill – Westcliff – Pembroke III or V."
She also uncovered the following interesting info about the Stanmore outstation
Stanmore
Cannons Corner, Stanmore, Middlesex and often simply referred to as "Cannons Corner". Selected in July 1942 as a Bombe outstation. That month two new buildings were under construction at Stanmore for WRNS accommodation, one to be completed by 31 July, the other by Oct 1942. In Jan1943 there were 22 Bombes in Block B at Stanmore with a potential for accommodating another 42, making it by far the largest Bombe outstation at the time. By July 1943 there were 45 Bombes at Stanmore together with some 440 Wrens both accommodated and working at Stanmore. A new Block, Block C, was then constructed in the NE corner of the fenced in site at Stanmore. This was to accommodate 750 Wrens. Hutted accommodation for some 90-100 RAF Bombe service technicians was to be built outside the Stanmore fencing on the London Road. This would be conveniently suited for the Bombes in Block B. In Oct 1943 Stanmore was stated to be using 29,660 sq ft of net floor space for its Bombes, (compared with 1,500 sq ft at Adstock, 6,800 at BP and 33,120 sq ft at Eastcote). The station ended up with some 50 Bombes, making it second in size only to Eastcote. Nicknames for Stanmore Bombes were selected from the names of British and Commonwealth towns, cities and islands. Abbreviated to just "S" or "OSS", (Outstation Stanmore) in BP Bombe status reports. In Jan 1944 US Bombe operating personnel were being trained at Stanmore. Stanmore was also the location of the Polish Radio Centre and Sigint unit which maintained comms links to Bertrand's Sigint station at PC Cadix in Vichy France where Poles were also employed in Sigint work. In Nov 1940 Stanmore was to be established as a Polish intercept site for Russian tasks and this task continued during 1941. Poles at Stanmore were employed on German Police tasks in 1943/44 but produced little of value for BP. There was also evidence of an SOE association with the Poles at Stanmore. HQ RAF Fighter Command was also located at Stanmore, (at Bentley Priory).The AEAF HQ, (later AEAF Rear) was established at Stanmore in early 1944 in preparation for "Overlord"
Apparently there is a good case for asking for Margery's name to be added to to the Bletchley Park on-line role of honour and my brother is pursuing this.
Mike
Author
Topic: WRNS Service number (Read 9672 times)