As the UK marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a new project highlights the women who helped shape the British Army in the years that followed. On 22 May 2025, pioneering veterans of the Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC) will gather at the AGC Museum in Winchester for the formal handover of The Trailblazers Project – a powerful new archive of recorded video interviews sharing their personal stories of post-war service.
The handover event marks the conclusion of The Trailblazers Project, produced by Legasee Educational Trust in partnership with the WRAC Association, and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thirty female veterans from the WRAC have shared their remarkable stories, preserving the voices of women who defied the odds and forged a path for future generations in the British Army.
All thirty interviews will be freely available to view on Legasee’s website and will now be formally archived by the Adjutant General’s Corps Museum, which preserves and displays the history of the modern AGC. This not only ensures long-term access to these important testimonies, but adds a significant chapter to the museum’s growing military archive.
The WRAC, established in 1949, provided crucial support roles within the British Army, from administrative duties to logistics and military police work. Though often overlooked in traditional military history, the WRAC played an integral part in key conflicts such as the Cold War, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and peacekeeping operations around the world. These women were trailblazers in every sense, challenging societal norms, breaking down barriers, and proving that women could excel in military service, often in the most dangerous and demanding of circumstances.
This year’s 80th anniversary of VE Day offers a timely reminder of the army’s evolving relationship with its female workforce. In 1945, at the end of the war in Europe, over 190,000 women had served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). Yet, many were quickly demobilised and returned to domestic life. It wasn’t until 1949, with the formation of the Women’s Royal Army Corps, that the military formally recognised the need to retain female talent. Shedding the “auxiliary” label, the WRAC was created under Royal Charter with its own uniform, professional status, and mandate. This was a turning point that began to modernise the standing of women in the post-war British Army.
But the transition was not without its challenges. WRAC members could still face systemic prejudice and social resistance, both within and outside military ranks. The Trailblazers Project captures this journey, shining a light on the women who changed the landscape for future generations of servicewomen.
Among the attendees at the event are some of the women whose interviews feature in The Trailblazers Project, including Roxanne Lawton, a WRAC veteran from Guyana who rose from private to corporal in a male-dominated environment, and Patricia Rosewell, who played a pivotal role as a physical training instructor. These women, along with others including Sharon Broderick MBE, Dorothy Apps, Kathy McMullin, Sylvia Adams, Julia Crockett, Ishbel Thomson, Diane Pratt and Lt Col (Retd) Sue Westlake MBE, each share their extraordinary stories of resilience, bravery, and the fight for equal opportunities in a male-dominated institution.
Patricia Rosewell, a former physical training instructor, recalls the challenges of training young recruits while also navigating her own path in the army,
“As a gymnast, I was determined to help other women succeed physically and mentally. My time in the WRAC shaped my character, and I’ll always be proud of the role I played in shaping new recruits.”
Kathy McMullin, a driver in the WRAC, vividly remembers her time in the Royal Corps of Transport. She spent her career behind the wheel in countries like Germany and Iraq, often working on peacekeeping missions and delivering critical supplies,
“The best part of the job was traveling to different places, meeting different people. I saw history unfold, especially when I was in Berlin during the fall of the Wall. We didn’t know it at the time, but we were part of something huge.”
Sylvia Adams, who served in the Royal Military Police, remembers how she defied expectations by joining the mounted troop, becoming one of the first women to do so,
“Being the first woman in the mounted troop was a huge accomplishment. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I wanted to show that women could do anything the men could.”
Sue Westlake, a retired officer, shares her pride in commanding one of the big three WRAC companies, where she led 250 servicewomen in Germany,
“The camaraderie and discipline were the heart of the WRAC. We were a team, and together, we broke barriers.”
The Trailblazers Project not only provides a valuable history archive but also serves to educate younger generations about the vital role women played in the British Army. The initiative was extended to students at Wildern School in Southampton, where Year 10 students had the opportunity to engage with veterans and gain a deeper understanding of military history. Through the voices of these veterans, students and visitors alike can reflect on how far women have come in military service, and how far there still is to go.
Martin Bisiker, Founder of Legasee Educational Trust, said,
“These women were pioneers in a field that was overwhelmingly male. Their stories are critical, not only for understanding the military history of our country, but for recognising the challenges and triumphs of women in the armed forces. This handover is a fitting tribute to their service.
We are very grateful that the AGC Museum will be launching this exhibition focused on the WRAC. It will bring the personal accounts of these veterans to life, showcasing the experiences of women who served in a period of profound societal change. The exhibition is set to run through the summer of 2025 and will offer visitors a unique opportunity to learn more about the WRAC’s history, its significance, and the women who made it possible.
The WRAC’s role in military history has often been overshadowed, but these women were integral to the army’s success in many critical operations. By preserving their stories, we hope that future generations understand the sacrifices and achievements that helped shape the modern military. This year, as we mark eight decades since VE Day, it is more important than ever to acknowledge the long road to equality, and the women who walked it first.
The WRAC veterans who participated in The Trailblazers Project have shared a wealth of experiences, from those who worked in administrative roles to those who served on the frontlines. Their collective stories reflect the evolution of women’s roles in the military and the broader fight for gender equality in the workplace. Through these interviews, the women of the WRAC will continue to inspire and educate future generations about the strength, courage, and resilience it takes to break barriers and serve with distinction.”
Paula Rogers, CEO of the WRAC Association, added,
“The WRAC Association is delighted to have partnered with Legasee on this project. Capturing the stories of our veterans has given us the chance to stop and reflect on the wonderful women we have within our Association. Our membership is made up of thousands of women who served in the British Army, Royal Navy and RAF and whose stories span decades of serving experience, from ATS veterans to those still serving today. The tales told in these interviews encapsulate the experience that our members know well, and we hope that generations to come will reflect on the service given by the WRAC.”
The handover event, at the AGC Museum, will taking place from 4pm on Thursday 22 May. The public are invited to attend, and will be joining WRAC veterans, museum officials, and other dignitaries who are coming together to celebrate the women who served and the legacy they have left behind.
To find out more about the event and The Trailblazers Project, please visit www.Legasee.org.uk
