Out in the Army: My Life as a Gay Soldier (36 page)

Me and Thom on our second date. I’d told Mum I was gay only hours before.

With my sister Liza on her wedding day, October 2006. She looked every bit a princess.

Basra, 2007. At the COB awaiting a helicopter for our first trip to Maysan. Trooper Hodges and I try to get used to the overwhelming heat.
© Byron Kirk

On the general-purpose machine gun, with Scoffy driving and Lance Corporal of Horse Danny Abbott commanding. The three of us were extremely close during our months in Iraq.
© David Penny

Making the most of the hot weather.

Posing with Kirky and looking a little grumpy.
© Byron Kirk

Ibbo and I attempt to entertain some of the local kids, who were all too used to seeing soldiers and guns.

Driving the battered WMIKs across the open desert was great fun though not without risk.

At Mum and Phil’s wedding in May 2008. I was honoured when Phil asked me to be his best man.

A Squadron in Canada, September 2008. HRH Prince Harry stands at the far right.

On the front cover of
Soldier
magazine in 2009. The response would alter my course in the military.
©
Soldier

With Thom in New York, Christmas 2009.

The happiest day of our lives. Thom and I enter a civil partnership in March 2010.
© David Sanderson