Inspirational veterans mark 80 years of vital work on International Women's Day
Female veterans and serving personnel gathered at the RAF Club in London to celebrate women's vital contributions during the Second World War for International Women's Day.
This year is especially significant as it marks 80 years since the end of the war.
Guests were inspired by the stories of courageous female veterans, who shared their experiences and highlighted the pivotal roles women played during WW2.
The event was organised by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, which provided transportation for several special guests.
Among them was 100-year-old Dorothea Barron, who joined the Women's Royal Naval Service, commonly known as the Wrens, at the age of 17, having lied about her height to gain acceptance.
The veteran taught signalling and semaphore to the troops to prepare for potential radio communication failures during the D-Day landings.
She said: "Everything was secret. You never discussed what you were doing.
"Everybody was sworn to secrecy. It was years later before the penny dropped."
Other guests included Arlette Gondrée, who lived in occupied France and was only four years old when the British liberated the family's cafe – Café Gondrée at Pegasus Bridge – on 6 June 1944.
Speaking at the event she said: "Fortunately, my mother and father were never found out for what they were doing because they were passing on information to British spies.
"We initially thought the Germans were coming in to get us, but fortunately it was the British so from that moment on we have adored them."
Another Wren at the event was Ruth Barnwell, who was posted to HMS Quebec in Inveraray in Argyllshire – a training camp for combined operations for D-Day.
She volunteered to join the Wrens following the death of her brother when the ship he was serving on, HMS Hood, was attacked and sunk.
Mrs Barnwell was the Officer's Steward to Surgeon Captain Goodfellow and Captain Ardill at the base.
Also in attendance was Helen Lederer, an actress and comedian known for her roles in Absolutely Fabulous, Horrid Henry: The Movie, Coronation Street, Doctors and Midsomer Murders.
She attended the event because both her mother and grandfather contributed to the war effort.
She said: "Unbeknownst to me, a TV documentary uncovered my grandfather's past.
"He was a Czechoslovakian emigre recruited by MI9 [a branch of British intelligence] because he spoke fluent German to eavesdrop on captured German generals.
"And my mother, meanwhile, I knew was at Bletchley Park because we spoke about it, but not much because they signed the Official Secrets Act.
"It is so infuriating that we didn't ask more questions, but that was the norm.
"The standout remark today from Dorothea was 'And nobody was interested'. But she said that with a wry smile and everyone said 'Well, they're interested now'."
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