Ex-soldier hopes LGBT memorial highlights issues

The sculpture, called An Opened Letter, has been installed at the National Memorial Arboretum

Having a memorial to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender military personnel feels like a "healing moment", a former soldier said.

King Charles III attended a service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to mark the unveiling of the tribute, An Opened Letter.

The memorial has been dedicated to people from the LGBT+ community in the armed forces, including those who were forced out or sacked from the military due to a ban on gay people which was in place from 1967 to 2000.

Linda Garnham, who was dismissed from the Army for being gay, said the sculpture would provide some of the recognition which was deserved a long time ago.

"We all served our country and were treated so badly," Ms Garnham said.

"It's about time people knew what we went through."

The bronze sculpture has been designed to look like a crumpled letter made up of words taken from evidence from personnel who were impacted by the ban.

Ms Garnham said the unveiling of the memorial was an "absolutely amazing moment".

"I'm sure it will feel like a healing moment," she added.

"It makes you realise you have come forward, starting from the bottom going to the top, and that's where we are now hopefully - the top."

Linda Garnham, who was dismissed from the Army for being gay, said the memorial's unveiling was an "absolutely amazing moment"

Under the ban, members of the military who were or thought to be gay or transgender were interrogated and dismissed.

In 2023, then UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologised on behalf of the British state for the "horrific" historical treatment of LGBT+ people who served in the military.

Veterans who suffered mistreatment or were dismissed under the ban are being given compensation of up to £70,000.