My Secret Life in Hut Six

The story of the World War 2 de-coders of Bletchley Park continues to fascinate.

How did Mair Thomas, a musician brought up in the Welsh valleys, find herself in the rarefied atmosphere of Hut Six, surrounded by hundreds of others, all desperately trying to break the German Enigma Code?

Sworn to secrecy and working in cramped and uncomfortable conditions, Mair discovered her degree in German and Music was just what was needed. Drawn from the public schools and Oxbridge her background was very different to that of most of her colleagues and she didn't immediately fit in. This captivating memoir unpacks her daily life and explores the relationships she built.

My Secret Life in Hut Six provides a fascinating insight into one woman's battle against Nazi Germany vividly capturing an era of danger, strain and day to day difficulties that were brightened occasionally by visits from the top brass, such as Winston Churchill.

Contents
Preface 9
Chapter 1: January 1941 A Personal World War 19
Chapter 2: 1917–36 Rough Valley 25
Chapter 3: 1936–38 London on the Eve of War 41
Chapter 4: 1938–39 Cardiff University 51
Chapter 5: 1940 Too Close to Home 63
Chapter 6: February 1941 Strange Messengers 77
Chapter 7: April 1941 Appointment in Whitehall 83
Chapter 8: August 1941 My Longest Day 95
Chapter 9: August 1941 Landlords from Hell 103
Chapter 10: August 1941 First Day at Bletchley Park 111
Chapter 11: August 1941 Unravelling the Enigma 123
Chapter 12: August–October 1941 Is it Over Before it Has Begun? 137
Chapter 13: November 1941 St Joan 145
Chapter 14: 1941–42 Loved and Chosen 155
Chapter 15: 1942–43 Girls Talk 173
Chapter 16: 1941–44 Rank and File 189
Chapter 17: 1944 D-Day 199
Chapter 18: 1945 It Nearly Killed Churchill Too 213
Chapter 19: 1945–99 Keeping Mum and Coming Out 227
Chapter 20: 1999 Return of the Native 239
Chapter 21: 2008 Read All About It 247
Christmas 2013: Postscript 253
Bibliography 256