Recognising the women of naval intelligence - room renaming event, Old Admiralty Building

30 April 2025

In the lead up to the 80th anniversary of VE Day, I joined relatives of the women who worked in naval intelligence (NID)during World War Two for a special event held in the Old Admiralty building (OAB). I recounted the stories of the women in my book, Her Secret Service, and restored them to their rightful place in history. These included Margaret Stewart, the first woman to head a NID Section, and Margaret Priestley, the only woman and civilian to work in Ian Fleming's crack team of secret commandos - 30 Assault Unit.

Staff members within the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), whose offices are located in the OAB, voted to rename the Business Lounge the 'Priestley-Stewart Room' recognising the vital war work carried out by the women of naval intelligence. In the above photograph, I am stood with Margaret Priestley's two nieces.

Supported by Commodore Katherine Armstrong (MOD) and Tara Smith (DBT), I had the honour of cutting the ribbon (my first) and officially declaring the Priestley-Stewart Room open.