Her parents were Muriel Grace Mitford (born Ogbourne) and Captain Herbert Lane Goodenough of Setley in Hampshire.

She had several relatives in the Navy and she enjoyed working in posts that were close to that branch of the forces.

On the 3 September 1939 she was in the First Sea Lord's office just after 11'o'clock when the ultimatum sent to the Germans was unanswered.

The Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Eric Seal, bowed to her and said "Miss Goodenough, I have the honour to tell you that we are at war".

She wasn't keen when she was asked to go to Ceylon to oversee the large number of WRNS who were serving in the Eastern Fleet.