Gwen Watkins
British codebreaker and author (1923–2025)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gwendoline Mary Watkins (née Davies, 31 December 1923 – 14 January 2025) was a British codebreaker and author.[1] During World War II, she worked at Bletchley Park de-coding traffic between German airfields.[2]
Gwen Watkins | |
|---|---|
in 1942 | |
| Born | 31 December, 1923 |
| Died | 14 January, 2025 |
| Nationality | British |
Biography
Gwendoline Mary Davies was born in West Bromwich to parents Alfred and Harriet. The family later moved to Bournemouth, where she attended Talbot Heath School.[1]
While at Bletchley, she met the poet Vernon Watkins.[3] They married in 1944 at St Bartholomew-the-Great.[4] Dylan Thomas was supposed to be the best man at their wedding, but he failed to turn up.[5]
They were both engaged in breaking the Luftwaffe AuKa tactical codes in Block F (A). Gwen was at first billeted at Stony Stratford but later moved to RAF Church Green at Bletchley.[5][6] They were both Flight Sergeants and were stationed at Bletchley from June 1942 until May 1945.
One of their grandchildren, Marley Watkins, is a professional footballer who has represented the Welsh national team.[7]
She was the author of several books, including Dylan Thomas: Portrait of a Friend (1983), Dickens in Search of Himself (1987), and Cracking the Luftwaffe Codes: The Secrets of Bletchley Park (2006).[1][8]