|
Seven British Army servicewomen have been honoured at the Women Of The Year Lunch at London's Guildhall. Now in its fiftieth year, the Women of the Year Lunch celebrates the achievements of women in every working field. The event brought together over 400 women, all of whom have made unique and extraordinary contributions to their chosen careers.
The seven Army Servicewomen, who joined five other women from the Armed Forces - three from the Royal Navy and two from the Royal Air Force – were commended last night by the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Mike Jackson, who said: “We are immensely proud of these women who exemplify the courage, strength and professionalism exhibited by so many in our fighting forces. They are an inspiration and an asset for the Government and the nation.”
British Army personnel nominated for the Women of the Year:
Lieutenant Colonel Bridget Rose - Adjutant General's Corps (Staff and Personnel Support) Lt Col Rose has just returned from Sarajevo, Bosnia, where she was Chief Public Information Officer at the headquarters of the 7000 strong, 33 nations European Force. Holding an extremely high profile position with a budget of 1.2 million euros, Lieutenant Colonel Rose was responsible for engaging with local, national and international media.
Captain Gudula Crawford - Adjutant General's Corps (Staff and Personnel Support) Capt Crawford was nominated by her Commanding Officer at 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment Of Fusiliers, the Infantry battalion with which she was serving in Northern Ireland until 2005. She was a key member of the battalion, covering three jobs as well as organising social functions and running the battalion's cross country team. Captain Crawford regularly excelled in a largely male unit, proving herself to be capable and determined.
Corporal Jackie Davies - Army Physical Training Corps – Cpl Davies will be competing in the British Bobsleigh Team at the Winter Olympics in Turin, February 2006. She won a silver medal at the 2005 World Championships when her team recorded Great Britain’s highest ever finish in the sport. Cpl Davies started her bobsleigh career in 2000 during the Army Ice Camp in Norway. She is currently serving as a Telecommunications Technician in the Royal Signals.
Lance Corporal Jenny Chester - Royal Army Veterinary Corps – LCpl Chester is currently serving in Germany with 102 Military Working Dogs Support Unit, based in Germany. The 20 year old dog handler was attached to the Black Watch in Iraq last year and, alongside her Arms and Explosive Search Dog Bonnie, she was responsible for checking cars for explosives ahead of vehicle check points and giving the all clear to the infantry soldiers.
Warrant Officer Class Two Debbie McEwan - Adjutant General's Corps (Staff and Personnel Support) – WO2 McEwan has spent 26 years in the Army and has served in a series of key posts supporting officers at the most senior levels in the Army. Her roles have included Personal Assistant to the Commander of Hong Kong, providing valuable support during the Tiananmen Square massacre across the boarder in China. Last year WO2 McEwan was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal – an award reserved for the very few warrant officers who have made an exceptional contribution in the course of their military careers.
Warrant Officer Class Two Caroline Ankers - Royal Logistic Corps – WO2 Ankers is the first female Master Driver in the Army. She holds every driving licence available in the Army from motorbike to track and passed the Police Advanced Drivers course in order to be the official driver for the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Guthrie, in London. WO2 Ankers has also been a close protection driver in Bosnia and served in Iraq.
Colonel Linda Harrison - Royal Corps of Signals (Territorial Decoration) - Col Harrison is the most senior female officer in the Territorial Army. In her civilian career she is a solicitor with a firm in Glasgow and in her military role she works at the Army Personnel Centre in Glasgow.
The Army has had an impressive attendance rate at the Women of the Year Lunch over the years, with former Army physical training instructor and double Olympic Gold medallist, Dame Kelly Holmes, winning last year’s ‘Outstanding Achievement Award.’ Previous guests have included Diana, Princess of Wales, Baroness Thatcher, Germaine Greer and Valentina Tereshkova, the Russian cosmonaut.
More Army News Stories...
|
