Sailors from HMS Dauntless meet Britain's oldest surviving female WW2 veteran

Britain's oldest surviving female Second World War veteran has met sailors from HMS Dauntless – Britain's most advanced destroyer – during the vessel's port stop in Barbados. 

The ship's commanding officer, Commander Ben Dorrington, Petty Officer Corinne Adams and the ship's chaplain, Reverend Janice Honey Morgan, visited 106-year-old Ena Collymore-Woodstock. 

Jamaican-born Ms Collymore-Woodstock was one of the first women to sail from the Caribbean during the Second World War to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

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Cdr Dorrington said: "To be able to visit such a remarkable lady who has lived through 10 decades and served not only as a radar operator in World War Two but also to pursue her career as the first female barrister is testament to her determination and passion for her work.

"Ena has been an inspiration throughout her life, not just to the communities of Jamaica and Barbados, but also to women worldwide who should strive to look up to and follow in her passion for helping others." 

Ms Collymore-Woodstock survived a torpedo attack during her Atlantic voyage to the UK and was posted in a clerical role at the War Office due to her background as a court typist at home in Kingston. 

After complaining that she "didn't come here to do what I was doing at home" in a letter to her seniors, Ms Collymore-Woodstock was transferred to an anti-aircraft unit and became a radar operator. She later served in Belgium.

After the war, she had an impressive career in law, notably becoming the first black woman to train at Gray's Inn, one of the four inns of court in London. After returning to Jamaica she was appointed Assistant Crown Solicitor among other posts. 

HMS Dauntless's crew embraced Ms Collymore-Woodstock's ethos of helping others during their visit to Barbados, hosting local schools and youth groups on board the ship and playing a football match against the Barbados Defence Force. 

Sixteen sailors joined the community group Walk Fuh Yuh Future on a beach clean-up on the east side of the island.

Barbados boasts some of the cleanest beaches in the Caribbean, if not the world, and on a regular basis communities come together to take part in the beach clean-up projects. 

Sub-Lieutenant Kyle Hill said: "I feel very lucky to be in this part of the world and to be able to offer our workforce to help the community and environment. 

"Beach cleans like these are a simple but effective way to help reduce our environmental impact and show our commitment to the people of Barbados." 

The ship's visit to Barbados followed a four-day visit to the Dominican Republic's capital, Santo Domingo.