Army veteran dismissed for being gay gets apology

Linda Garnham was dismissed from the Army for being gay

A Guernsey resident who was dismissed from the British Army for being gay has received an apology letter from the UK government and a ceremonial beret.

Linda Garnham, who joined the Army aged 17, said she was "gutted" when she was dismissed for being gay.

Linda attended a presentation at the National Arboretum Memorial in the UK where she and 19 others received back berets and cap badges - after more than 45 years - to mark the injustices they faced.

She also received a special Etherton Veterans Ribbon, which was introduced by the late Lord Etherton for veterans and serving staff impacted by the ban on openly gay personnel, which was lifted in 2000.

'Felt a failure'

"It gives some comfort receiving these things back, and the very bad treatment we received being acknowledged as wrong," Ms Garnham said, who said she had signed up for 21 years.

"Having this recognition of my five-year service means a lot to me because when you were kicked out you were just left at the train station to come home and you just felt so distraught and what were you going to tell everybody at home.

"I felt like a failure."

Restoring items like berets and cap badges to discharged service personnel was among the recommendations made by a government-commissioned report from Lord Etherton in 2023, the LGBTQ independent veterans review.

Before 2000, it was illegal to be openly gay in the British military.

Those who were, or perceived to be, homosexual faced intrusive investigations and were dismissed or otherwise forced to leave the military.

Some went to prison as recently as 1995. Many still have the conviction on their criminal record.

For Ms Garnham, wearing her returned beret will be a source of pride.

"I've always attended the Remembrance Sunday ceremony down town but now I'd be able to march and I'll be able to wear my beret with pride.

"That's something that I've always wanted to do. I now feel part of the WRAC Veterans family."

The government's LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) was launched in December.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said the government "deeply regretted the treatment of LGBT serving personnel between 1967 and 2000" and said those dismissed were now able to apply to the scheme.