WW2 Codebreakers: Bletchley Park activities revealed in unique footage - The Hidden Film

Discover the story behind the recently discovered only known wartime film footage of a secret site connected to Bletchley Park.
A silent film, recently donated to Bletchley Park Trust, is believed to be a compilation of footage recorded between 1939 - 1945, showing members of MI6 Section VIII at Whaddon Hall, Buckinghamshire. During World War Two, this was a most secret site where Ultra intelligence produced by the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS) at Bletchley Park would be sent, and then passed on to Allied commanders in the field.
In this mini-documentary, hear Bletchley Park Veteran, Geoffery Pidgeon who worked in MI6 Section VIII during WW2, recall how it felt to watch the film for the first time and recognise his father. Peronel Craddock, Bletchley Park's Head of Collections and Exhibitions and Dr. David Kenyon, Research Historian at Bletchley Park also talk about why the discovery of this film is so important.
Watch the original footage: • WW2 Codebreakers: Orig...
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About Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park is a vibrant heritage attraction and museum, open daily to visitors.
It was the home of British World War Two codebreaking; a place where technological innovation and human endeavour came together to make groundbreaking achievements that have helped shape the world we live in today.
This unique site was previously a vast Victorian estate, where parts including the Mansion still survive, expanding during wartime to accommodate Codebreakers Huts and Blocks.
During World War Two, the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS), now known as the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), was based at Bletchley Park. It grew from a small team of specialists to a vast intelligence factory of thousands of dedicated women and men. This extraordinary combination of brilliant and determined people and cutting-edge technology contributed significantly to Allied victory. In tough conditions, they provided vital intelligence and developed pioneering technological innovation that had a direct and profound influence on the outcome of the war.
The site continues to reveal secrets and tell fascinating stories of our national legacy.
The Bletchley Park Trust
Bletchley Park Trust is a registered charity, heritage attraction and independent museum. As an independent charity, we rely on income from our visitors, Friends and supporters to secure the long-term future of the site.
Registered charity number: 1012743

[@geoffburton822]

Mom died in 2000, before BP was opened up. Because of the OSA, we only knew she was there. I always scan these photos and video, thinking maybe I'll see her. I really wish I could talk to her about that time, which must have been so exciting. She kept her promise: Faith Patrick, Hut 14, Communications Signals Office.

[@alexnewton1892]

Spuggy Newton my Dad who was one of the originals recruited in 1938 at 3.15min. If people want to know more then Geoffrey Pidgeon's book 'The Secret Wireless War' is well worth a read and some of the adventures these guys had were amazing. So sad my dad passed before I knew any of this. My Mother was a translator at Bletchley having quite a good knowledge of German. She is caught on some of the other film one of 2 in deck chairs with sun glasses.

[@KeithMorfett]

Ordinary people, extraordinary lives. Heroes one and all.

[@Niceaction]

An amazing donation and incredible to see actual footage of those heroes.

[@amandacd]

My mother died in 2018 with dementia. A year or so before she went into care her husband told me she'd been stationed at Bletchley Park as a WAAF. She didn't ever want to say much about her WAAF career other than how proud she was to have served during WWII. When asked she initially said she could not talk about it. She remembered her service number and after some reassurance she told me a little about her time there - It all matched to the experiences I listened to in a subsequent visit to BP. I'd dearly love to know more and so wish she'd talked about it more before her health and memory declined. Vanda Ashton stationed Chicksands and Blackbrook aged 18 and 19..

[@meridianx9020]

Who the hell dislikes this? These people were amazing.

[@thesniperabel8278]

My grandmother was a code breaker at Bletchley park but sadly passed away years ago

[@KerryHoward]

This is remarkable. Thanks for sharing. I wonder if any more people will spot relatives in the film? I do hope so. It would be wonderful for them and Bletchley Park Trust.

[@arthurperry4675]

What an extraordinary film! Thank you for sharing it. A BIG thank you to those who worked at Bletchley Park - we owe them a debt of gratitude.

[@KBBurnfield]

This is amazing. Not only B/W footage but some color footage too! Wow. Such a find.

[@nickcooke536]

Lovely to see and great to hear Peronel and David giving their views and commentary. Roll on the day when Bletchley Park reopens.

[@novianovioTV]

Went to Bletchley Park for the first time today. It is right up there with any must-visit places in Britain. Being in Hut 11 where the Bombe machines were housed is an awe-inspiring experience

[@sofiamartinez9797]

Grateful for these heroes every single day

[@CDWCAULDRON]

To the Men and Women Of Bletchley Park. May we Never forget them, and what they have dun for Us all.

[@carolynzaremba5469]

Remarkable and strangely moving. Thank you for this! My Dad was in England during WWII (although not at Bletchley(as far as I know)).

[@TheCryptKeeper8]

Where can I find the full video? As far as I know, my nan used two work for Bletchley during the war. Even after she got dementia, she could still remember Morse. Sadly she is no longer with us.

[@orthodoxNPC]

I wish i had people like this in my life

[@markrossow6303]

( a street near the Microsoft Campus outside Seattle was named for Alan Turing a few years ago )

[@gilliankeene1908]

Very well done thank you

[@RKMLarsen]

Fantastic stuff -- very humbling to watch.