WOMEN IN WAR RBLI’ S NEW CAMPAIGN RECOGNISES WOMEN’ S VITAL CONTRIBUTION
A NEW FIGURE REPRESENTS FEMALE VETERANS , PAST AND PRESENT
Veteran Steve Hammond from Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company presents the first Women In War figure to 98-year-old Betty Webb, a former Bletchley Park codebreaker.
A Bletchley Park codebreaker was the first recipient of a new military figure made by injured veterans as part of a national campaign recognising the efforts of women’s service in the Armed Forces.
RBLI’s new campaign, ‘Women in War’ aims to highlight the efforts of women during times of conflict and is represented by a new figurine of a saluting servicewoman, made by veterans in our social enterprise, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company. The first to receive the figure was 98-year-old Charlotte ‘Betty’ Webb. At just 18, she joined WW2 codebreaking centre Bletchley Park to help intercept and crack German war messages. Betty, who recently received France’s highest military honour the Legion d’Honneur, accepted the figure on behalf of Bletchley
Park, which saw women from across the Armed Forces and civilians play a vital role in the British war effort. The figure was presented by Steve Hammond from Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, a veteran who sustained life-changing injuries during the Falklands war. “The contribution of the women at Bletchley Park was unbelievable and it is still felt to this day”, Said Steve. “What we hope this campaign can do is give servicewomen everywhere the recognition they deserve – whilst also raising vital funds for veterans through RBLI.”
RBLI’s ‘Women in War’ campaign has received widespread support from military and veteran organisations. Major General Sharon Patricia Nesmith, the first woman to command a British Army brigade, said:
Together we will honour them, and with RBLI, we will be there for all our women veterans – from past, present and future service - at their time of need.
Rebecca Foy, Director of Public Engagement at Bletchley Park Trust, also praised the campaign:
We are delighted that one of our veterans was able to receive RBLI’s ‘Women in War’ figure on behalf of all the women who worked for Bletchley Park, both here and overseas. It’s great to see their work recognised, and those of all the women who have served through the armed forces and civilian roles.
The campaign’s iconic female figure is now available to purchase via the Tommy Club online shop. Every penny raised through their sale goes directly to support RBLI’s welfare, accommodation, and employment services for military veterans and their families.
To purchase a Women in War figure and to find out more about the campaign, visit rbli.shop/collections/women-in-war
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TOM M Y C LU B NEWS I AUTUMN 2021
TOM M Y CLUB N EWS I S PR I N G 2021
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