[4] During the Second World War, Robins was said to have been bored as an officers' steward waiting at table in the Painted Hall of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, so she joined a class to learn Morse code in her off-duty time.
She quickly reached the speed needed to join the Signal School and in January 1941 passed the course and was made a Chief Petty Officer.
By May 1942 she was transferred to Felixstowe—a very busy station with E-Boats working continuously up and down the coast trying to destroy British convoys carrying vital supplies.
Every day, German High Command gave out a report on the progress of the war and it was always at dictation speed so she learned to write it down accurately.
[4][5] In 2010, Alison Robins received the Bletchley Park badge from the Prime Minister, David Cameron, with the citation 'The Government wishes to express to you its deepest gratitude for the vital service you performed in World War II'.