'I'm the only woman to set foot on Hitler's yacht'

2 hours ago

Nathan BevanSouth East

Anne Macleod-Carey pictured celebrating her 100th birthday

The Royal Alfred Seafarers' Society An elderly woman with blonde hair holding a glass and a 100th birthday card. Next to her is younger woman with brown hair wearing a white, blue and yellow shirt. — Anne Macleod-Carey pictured celebrating her 100th birthday

A 101-year-old from Surrey says she was the first and only woman ever to set foot aboard Hitler's yacht after it was captured by Allied forces.

Anne Macleod-Carey, who served in the Women's Royal Naval Service, or Wrens, during World War Two, says it was while stationed at Rosyth in Scotland that she went onboard the Nazi dictator's boat.

The centenarian recalled being invited for dinner aboard the vessel by an American officer.

"He insisted I take a souvenir, namely half a dozen of Hitler's wine glasses stamped with the keys of Hamburg," she said.

Anne's story of courage during WWII is being shared to celebrate International Women's Day, which takes place on Sunday.

Her story embodies how thousands of women broke barriers during the conflict, took on roles previously closed to them and proved their capabilities during the most challenging circumstances.

Anne also took half a dozen of Hitler's wine glasses from his yacht as a souvenir

Getty Images A colour treated photo of Hitler speaking into a big microphone. He's wearing a light brown jacket and red tie. — Anne also took half a dozen of Hitler's wine glasses from his yacht as a souvenir

Now a resident at Belvedere House in Banstead, a specialist care home run by maritime charity The Royal Alfred Seafarers' Society (RASS), Anne was just 19-years-old when, in 1943, she travelled from her home in Kingswood to Queen Anne's Mansions in London in order to enlist.

Choosing the Women's Royal Naval Service, or Wrens, for their distinctive blue uniform over the khaki of the ATS, Anne trained in Morse code, semaphore, and flag signals in Manchester.

She was also posted to Aberdeen as Ordinary Wren Stevenson, serving as a visual signaller at a port war signal station.

This crucial role coordinating naval operations ensured the safe passage of vessels during the Battle of the Atlantic.

"We laughed our way through the most awful sadness somehow," she said of her time in service. "But quite a lot of the time was terribly sad."

The RASSs' CEO David Dominy said: "Anne's determination, shown by her request for boarding school at seven and solo trip to London to enlist, embodies the spirit we honour on International Women's Day.

"Her service, and that of all the Wrens, played a vital role in the war effort, and we are honoured to share her remarkable story."

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