Tessa Dunlop: The Women Who Served in World War Two

Saturday 14 November, 12:30pm, St Peter’s Church, DE1 1SN

On the 85th anniversary of conscription for British women, and through her books on the subject, Tessa joins us to pay homage to the women who served in World War Two. 

The scale of female involvement in Britain during the War wasn’t matched in any other country. From a total of 8 million working women just over 7,000 were hand-picked to work at Bletchley Park and its outstations. 

The Bletchley Girls weaves together the lives of fifteen women she interviewed who were all selected to work in Britain’s most secret organisation. By meeting and talking to 15 veterans, Tessa Dunlop captures their extraordinary journeys into a terrifying world of war, secrecy, love and loss.

Army Girls captures remarkable stories from the last surviving veterans who served in Britain’s female army and brings to life a pivotal moment in British history. Precious memories and letters are entwined in a rich narrative that travels back in time and sheds new light on being young, female and at war.

'An in-depth picture of life in Britain's wartime intelligence centre . . . The result is fascinating, and is made all the more touching by the developing friendships between Dunlop and her interviewees.' Financial Times

'Wise, witty, compassionate and personal: Tessa Dunlop writes just the best kind of history about women' - Lucy Worsley, OBE

Photography credit: Michael Cockerham