A SOMERSET woman received a medal ten years ago for her top-secret work at the Government Code and Cypher School during the Second World War.

Pamela Hodder-Williams of Wootton Courtenay joined the Wrens as a 17-year-old in 1941 and after two years at Gayhurst Manor in Essex.

The former spy was one of the girls who were a part of 'C Watch', the codebreakers for the famous German Enigma machine, she was promoted to leading Wren and posted to Bletchley Park.

The work required huge concentration, and the girls were constantly reminded that any mistakes they made could cost lives.

Lady Biggs-Davison back in 1941 in her Wren uniform. (Image: NQ Archive)

Because of The Official Secrets Act, Pamela's family knew nothing of the vital work she did for half a century.

Pamela received the medal from The Government Code and Cypher School on November 11, 2014.

The Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS) was Britain's first integrated cryptographic agency, established in 1919 to protect the British government's communications and study foreign cypher methods.

Now known as GCHQ, the organisation's overt function was to protect British Government communications, with a secret mission to decrypt messages sent by foreign countries.

Pamela was also awarded an official certificate signed by, Prime Minister at the time, David Cameron.

Pamela, now Lady Biggs-Davison, recalls: “We did eight-hour shifts, got awful food and were always covered in oil from the machines!"