LGBTQ+ veterans get first look at memorial commemorating their service

LGBTQ+ veterans have been given a first look at a new memorial that is due to be installed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire this August. The memorial aims to provide a space where people can reflect on the sacrifices made by LGBTQ+ personnel; remembering the experiences of veterans who served before the military ban on gay personnel was lifted in 2000. Until that point, it was illegal to be openly gay in the military and those ‘outed’ could be fired or forced out due to their sexuality.

Abraxas Academy - design for the memorial

The artwork, entitled ‘The Crumpled Letter’, is designed to commemorate LGBTQ+ veterans and is one of the recommendations put forth in Lord Etherton’s independent review into the historical treatment of LGBTQ+ people in the military.

The memorial, designed by artists’ collective Abraxas Academy, features words taken from LGBTQIA+ personnel impacted by the ban whom the collective met with during the process. The project is overseen by Fighting With Pride.

Retired naval commander, Roly Woods, was among a group of veteran who visited Holkham Forge, in Norfolk, to see work progressing on the bronze sculpture.

He said: "I had a little moment to myself because I was not expecting to have such a strong reaction.

"Up until the late nineties, people were sent to prison for being who they were; for their sexual orientation. Many were sent to jail, they were dismissed without pension, they were asked to go back to their families, who then quite often shunned them.

"You had youngsters in their late teens, early twenties, being marched to the gate of their military establishment... and living rough on the streets. We had examples of our veterans who were living rough in Portsmouth, just outside the main gates, because they had no idea what to do."

He added that the memorial, “gives veterans a place to come, and the serving community a place to reflect on the progress that has been made."

Former Royal Military Police officer, Kate Holvey-Williams was also among those who visited the forge. She signed up to the armed forces at the age of 19 not yet knowing her sexuality, and left service just 12 days before the ban was lifted.

She said: "[Your sexuality] only had to be a rumour at the time, it didn't have to be necessarily true and I was given a choice: be a soldier or be myself, and I really wanted to be myself so I had to give my notice."

Reflecting on the new memorial, she added: "I hope it will bring some closure to many people, but also for them to be remembered and, not necessarily just for being gay, but for being brilliant soldiers, sailors and airmen. "

"We all gave everything for our country."

Abraxas Academy who designed the memorial includes artists Nina Bilbey, James Spedding of Holkham Forge, Charlotte Howarth, and Sue Aperghis. Blacksmith James Spedding has been working hard on the metal working but said that it has been difficult to manoeuvre the sculpture in the forge at times, due to its size.

The artwork is reportedly based on a letter, between a serving personnel and their partner, which was used in evidence against the former in a court martial. Those words will be accompanied by words from Lord Etherton’s review, and thoughts of optimism for the future. The sculpture will be installed in Staffordshire's National Memorial Arboretum in August 2025.