In 2024, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we proudly added 30 female voices to the Legasee Archive through interviews with trailblazing women of the Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC). This collection captures the experiences of women who served in the British Army between 1949 and 1992, during a time of profound societal change, reflecting how the evolving roles of women in society were reflected within the military.

The WRAC initially focused on administrative and support roles, with its members designated as “non-combatants” – unarmed and required to wear skirts. Despite their “non-combatant” designation, WRAC personnel were actively involved in key conflicts such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the Cold War, and provided vital support right across the British Army, often operating in challenging and high-pressure environments across the world.

To honour the service and dedication of these trailblazing women, an exhibition of the project will be on display at the Adjutant General’s Corps Museum in Winchester, Summer 2025.

This project also brought history to life for Year 10 students at Wildern School in Hedge End, culminating in a moving oral history interview with Retired Colonel Sue Westlake, MBE. Watch the film of the Wildern School project and explore this collection to learn about the remarkable women who served in the British Army.

About the National Lottery Heritage Fund

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players they support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Their vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.