To mark the 20th anniversary of the lifting of the British Armed Forces gay ban’ on 12 January 2020, this book brings together a selection of LGBTQ servicemen and women who have served in the Armed Forces since the Second World War. Their stories are profoundly moving testaments to their loyalty, their courage on the battlefield, and their unswerving sense of right and wrong. Included are ten accounts of members of our Armed Forces who have lived remarkable lives. In some cases they were dismissed in disgrace or forced to resign when asked questions about their private lives. Their stories are those of remarkable sacrifice and courage in their units (and in battle), but who were forced to live in secret before their services were removed at the stroke of a pen after being declared ‘no longer required’ or dismissed in disgrace’. These are the stories of the David and Goliath battle for equality, through every court in the UK and Europe. For others their story is one of remarkable careers at the front line of operations worldwide, with accounts of service in the Second World War, the Falklands War, the Gulf Wars and the war in Afghanistan. This book celebrates the lives of servicemen and women who have stood tall and taken their place with pride and dignity in the fighting units of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force and the British Army. These are the inspiring stories of people who have created amazing careers and sought and found a welcome denied to so many. AUTHOR: Lt Cdr Craig Jones MBE RN joined the Royal Navy in 1989, later to become the first out’ LGBTQ person in the Armed Forces and would help lead that community through a bewildering period of change. Major Michael Brigham MBE is a serving infantry officer in the Mercian Regiment of the British Army. Lt Elaine Chambers, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, was a nursing officer in Cold War Germany. She was dismissed after being found out’. Sgt Darren Ford served with the Royal Military Police in the 1980s and 1990s. He was outed by a boyfriend and dismissed after an investigation by his own unit. ASLt Edward ‘Ed’ Hall RN was a University Cadet Officer when he came out’ to colleagues in 1993, not realising that being gay was prohibited in the Armed Forces. Captain Professor Sir Michael Howard CBE CH OM MC is one of a dwindling number of our Second World War veterans. Lt Cdr Patrick Lyster-Todd RN joined the Royal Navy in 1972 and in a busy operational career served in Northern Ireland, and for two and a half years as the Navigating Officer of HMS Achilles. Lt Cdr Mandy McBain RN joined the Women’s Royal Navy Service in the 1980s, completing her training at HMS Raleigh. FLt Caroline Page RAF is an inspirational woman and the first transgender officer to serve openly in the UK Armed Forces. Cdr Roly Woods RN is the current head of Fleet Security on the Staff of the Commander-in-Chief Fleet. He joined the Royal Navy in 1978 and served in the Falklands War and in Iraq.
50 b/w illustrations