Leading war correspondent Jane Corbin will take to the stage on Thursday 6 November with three remarkable women veterans to discuss how their first of a kind achievements helped to revolutionise the role and perception of women in the military.
On the panel will be Army veteran Gemma Morgan: The first woman to be awarded the Carmen Sword for best young officer in the Royal Logistic Corps, Commodore Carolyn Stait CBE: The first woman to command a Naval Base in Britain, no woman held a higher rank in the Royal Navy until 2015 and RAF veteran Liz McConaghy: The youngest aircrew member to deploy to Iraq followed by ten tours to Afghanistan.
This unique panel discussion, held at the Royal United Services Institute from 5.30pm to 8pm, will be hosted by veterans’ mental health charity Combat Stress. For over a century the charity has supported former servicemen and women with military-related trauma, and today provides specialist clinical treatment to veterans across the UK.
With all three of the former servicewomen having also experienced or witnessed the devastating impact of military trauma, they will also be joined by Dr Vicky Aldridge of Combat Stress, to discuss the journey to recovery.
Commodore Carolyn Stait CBE: “I became responsible for over 6,000 personnel, the largest marine police force in Europe, an annual budget of £195m, and enough fireworks to light up the Scottish skyline for a lifetime. Quite a surprise for a girl whose first ever ambition was to become a lift attendant at a major department store in Birmingham!
“I am fortunate not to have personally experienced life-impacting trauma as a result of my service with the Armed Forces, but I am close to some of those who have and have witnessed the challenges that such trauma presents. I have also witnessed the simply amazing support and treatment that Combat Stress can offer in helping those who have been impacted. It is a quite remarkable organisation that produces magic on a daily basis.”
Liz McConaghy said: “I joined at 19 after seeing a magazine with a guy hanging out the side of a helicopter on the front cover. I had no military background, wasn’t a cadet or even lived in England where the RAF were based, but I thought, what’s the worst that can happen, and gave it a shot. I arrived on basic training and was one of only three women, then the only woman doing my job when I arrived on the Chinook Force…
“I never thought the day I left service that many years later I would be the person relying on Combat Stress, but they made me feel like I wasn’t on the scrap heap. Someone cared – finally someone was giving a damn about me. Combat Stress started to put the wheels in motion for me to recover.”
Gemma Morgan said: ““Receiving the Sword of Honour as the first woman is a moment of pride and also responsibility. I feel proud knowing that in some small way I helped open doors for other women to follow, showing that they too can achieve the highest standards and be recognised for their excellence.
“I’m honoured to support Combat Stress by speaking at this event. Veterans carry battles we can’t always see, and no one should face them alone. I want to do my part to shine a light on their courage and remind them that help is available.”
It promises to be an insightful and interesting afternoon, and those in attendance will have the chance to put their own questions to the former service women. You can find out more and book your place here: combatstress.org.uk/armistice-address.
Robert Marsh, Director of Fundraising, said: ““It would be fantastic to see as many people as possible in attendance. It’s a great chance to gain an unique insight into the rewards and challenges life in the British Armed Forces can bring while doing your part for those veterans in need.”
