Gwen Pettigrew

Gwen Joined the Royal Corps of Signals in 1975. and carried out basic training at 11 Signal Regiment (Catterick). In November 1975 she qualified as a class 3 Terminal Equipment Technician and was posted to 233 Signal Squadron HQ Northern Ireland (Lisburn).

In December 1979 she was posted to Permanent staff at 8th Signal (Trade Training) Regiment (Catterick) where she commenced Class 1 technician training later in 1980. In September 1981 she qualified as Class 1 Terminal Equipment Technician and was posted to Project Wavell Implementations Team (attached to 2 Armoured Division HQ and Signal Regiment, Lübbecke, West Germany)

Gwen remained in West Germany where in March 1984 she was promoted to Sergeant.

In March 1986 Gwen was posted to 2 Infantry HQ and Signal Regiment (York)

In April 1989 Gwen was outed by a civilian traffic police officer to RMP (until January 2000, being gay in the British military was a criminal offense).

In October 1989 Gwen was discharged from the army due to the ban on LGBT people serving in the forces.