By Isle of Wight Observer
I hail from Wroxall, and now live in Lake with my husband and two children. This year marks the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, and makes the honour of serving my country in the Armed Forces even more special.
My childhood was somewhat different from that of my friends. It was heavily influenced by my parents’ passion for fitness and endurance sports. My father, Roger Scott, was a triathlete, duathlete and endurance runner, while managing his own building business, and my mother, Deborah Bennett (formerly Scott) worked in hospitality and was a triathlete, duathlete, ran marathons and enjoyed swimming the pier to pier every year. This all instilled in me a deep love for sport, notably cross-country running. I was brought up surrounded by Deep Heat, lycra and sweat! I believe the liberation of sport and the confidence it brings is what ignited, in me, the desire to venture beyond the confines of village life.
The turning point came at 16 when I was drawn to an advertisement seeking recruits for the British Army. Though back in 1994 the minimum age was 17½, I persisted and eventually joined up. Now anyone can join from the age of 16.
Throughout my service, I’ve embraced multiple roles. In 1994 I was initially a fuel tanker driver, then was deployed on various operations as an HGV driver, forklift operator, motorbike commander, articulated lorry transporter, a transport manager, vehicle packet commander and a convoy commander. All these roles are simply labelled ‘driver’ in the Royal Logistics Corps. I also served as a stores accountant manager.
In 2005, I changed career path to become a human resource manager, offering support to whichever regiment I was assigned to and moving frequently for operational duties. After 24 years, transitioning from a teenage girl into an experienced woman, I only left the service to start my family.
Penning my thoughts to be published on International Women’s Day has been a challenge, as I write from a regular soldier’s perspective. I am grounded in a commitment to equality and always prided myself on doing whatever was expected of me, in roles that were not based on gender, but on what needed to be done.
Now working for the 106th Royal Artillery Regiment, as part of the Army Reserve Unit, I am able to continue doing what I enjoy, as working mothers are really supported and I can fulfil my roles as a daughter, mother, wife and professional, while committed to my forces role. The unit prides itself on absolute inclusiveness and professionalism, fantastic for an Army veteran like me – a late starter in becoming a parent.
It bodes well for the next generation of service personnel.
I also cherish contributing to our community, not least in my voluntary role chairing the Shanklin Deep Sea Fishing Club, which I really enjoy as the men are incredibly hard-working and honest.
I’m very mindful that many women fill roles on the Island, not because of their sex but because of their ability and the qualities and strengths they bring to the role: this is similar to what I experienced in my career.
Having the honour of laying a wreath at Lake’s War Memorial, I’m reminded of the sacrifices made by local men and women during conflicts. Their role stretches from the Land Army, to working on munitions and building WWII landing craft in Lake – with Bailey Bridges being constructed locally and used at Normandy.
This year’s 80th anniversaries of D-Day, Monte Cassino and Operation Market Garden, all involving Islanders, will provide an opportunity to reflect on these conflicts and their contributions.
Looking forward, with the many changes in our society, celebrating the improvements made and acknowledging women’s impact across generations, my aspiration is for a future where International Women’s Day is unnecessary. I hope I can contribute to that day coming in the very near future.
