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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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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.

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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 21 Apr. 2026.
APA Style:
Hooton, W. (2024, April 17). A Veteran Interview with Wendy Hooton [Interview by Martin Bisiker]. Legasee. Retrieved April 21, 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 April 21, 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: 21 April 2026)
Vancouver Style:
Hooton, W. A Veteran Interview with Wendy Hooton [Internet]. Interview by M. Bisiker. Legasee; 2024 Apr 17 [cited 2026 Apr 21]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/wendy-hooton/
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