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Wendy-Hooton

A veteran interview with

Wendy Hooton

Wendy Hooton was a communications centre operator for the WRAC.

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Discover 24 key interview topics and talking points
02:00
Guildford
04:00
WRAC uniform
06:00
Passing Out Parade
08:00
Trade training
10:00
Murray Code
12:00
10th Signal Regiment
16:00
Rheindahlen
18:00
Pops and Eddies
20:00
Guildford Pub Bombing
24:00
Hong Kong
28:00
Stonecutters Island
34:00
Aldershot
36:00
IRA (Irish Republican Army)
40:00
Duchess of Kent
42:00
Australia
46:00
Cyprus
48:00
Greek Civil War
52:00
Falklands
56:00
Germany
64:00
Scotland
68:00
Leaving the Army
74:00
Being a veteran
76:00
SIB
80:00
Homosexuality

About Wendy Hooton

At only seventeen years old Wendy Joined the WRAC in 1972. Driven by her desire to travel, she joined the army as a communications operator and her interview provides a fascinating insight into the processes, and complications, of being a young woman in a military environment.

Wendy recalls the strict routines at Guildford and the excitement of her passing out parade following the first six weeks of training. In her specialised training, Wendy discusses the complexity of the communications machinery and the development of technologies throughout her time as an operator. Beginning with T-100s, Wendy describes the transition into T-15 Telex machines in the late 1970s.

Reflecting on the WRAC Wendy speaks fondly of her travels to Rheindahlen, Hong Kong, Australia, Cyprus and later Edinburgh. During this time she faced constant IRA threats, Cold War tensions and feelings of discontent that erupted with the onset of the Falklands. She speaks passionately on the importance of the WRAC as an emerging space for women to push beyond their societal expectations during a period of great change.

 

Credits

Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
Reviewed by:
Evie Painter
Transcribed by:
Leon Graham

Transcripts:
Please note that transcripts and closed captions in the video player are automatically generated by Vimeo.

If you would like a version of the transcript that has been transcribed manually by Leon Graham, please complete this form or email info@legasee.org.uk.

Copyright:
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Home | Veterans | Wendy Hooton

A veteran interview with

Wendy Hooton

Wendy-Hooton

Wendy Hooton was a communications centre operator for the WRAC.

Related topics & talking points

10th Signal Regiment Aldershot Australia Being a veteran Colvin House Communications Centre Operator Cyprus Duchess of Kent Falklands Germany Greek Civil War Guildford Guildford Pub Bombing Homosexuality Hong Kong IRA (Irish Republican Army) Leaving the Army Murray Code Passing Out Parade Pops and Eddies Rheindahlen Scotland SIB Stonecutters Island T-100s T15s Trade training Treatment of women WRAC uniform

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Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Hooton, Wendy. A Veteran Interview with Wendy Hooton. Interview by Martin Bisiker. Legasee, 17 Apr. 2024 https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/wendy-hooton/. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
APA Style:
Hooton, W. (2024, April 17). A Veteran Interview with Wendy Hooton [Interview by Martin Bisiker]. Legasee. Retrieved January 15, 2026, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/wendy-hooton/
Chicago Style:
Hooton, Wendy. 2024. A Veteran Interview with Wendy Hooton. Interview by Martin Bisiker. Legasee, April 17. Accessed January 15, 2026. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/wendy-hooton/
Harvard Style:
Hooton, W. (2024). A Veteran Interview with Wendy Hooton. [Interviewed by Martin Bisiker]. Legasee, 17 April. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/wendy-hooton/ (Accessed: 15 January 2026)
Vancouver Style:
Hooton, W. A Veteran Interview with Wendy Hooton [Internet]. Interview by M. Bisiker. Legasee; 2024 Apr 17 [cited 2026 Jan 15]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/wendy-hooton/
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