Landing Craft Foxtrot 8

F8 PRIDE STORY

Marking the 25th anniversary of the lifting of the ban on gay people serving in the UK Armed Forces, Portsmouth Historic Quarter is proud to partner with Fighting with Pride to unveil a Pride-inspired Landing Craft F8, available for members of the public to view and jump aboard this summer.

This is the first time in British history a war vessel has been wrapped in Pride colours. Under the meticulous care of Portsmouth Historic Quarter, this historic naval asset is perfectly positioned to celebrate progress and recognise the full breadth of military history with honesty, including the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ members, past and present.

Landing craft like F8 and todays LGBTQ+ veterans share a symbolic connection through their key involvement in the 1982 Falklands War. By showcasing Landing Craft F8 in Pride colours, Portsmouth Historic Quarter aims to pay tribute to those who served in silence or suffered consequences for their sexuality.

Landing Craft F8 was built in 1959 and was one of 12 landing craft deployed during the Falklands War, when the ban was still in place. It was used to bring troops ashore from San Carlos Water.

Wrapped in Pride colours, Landing Craft F8 will launch at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Boathouse 4, on Thursday 15 May in preparation for Portsmouth hosting UK Pride on Saturday 7th June.

Serving in silence

Until January 2000, LGBTQ+ people were banned from serving in the British Armed Forces and faced dishonourable discharge, loss of medals, surveillance and interrogation. Many veterans lived in fear and were investigated, discharged, or criminalised because of their sexuality.

One such veteran is Roly Woods, former Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy and now Memorial Officer for Fighting with Pride, who served on HMS Leeds Castle during the Falklands War.

Active service people pre-2000 had two choices: come out as gay and face the repercussions or hide who they truly were so that they could continue their military careers.

Roly chose the latter: “At one stage during my Naval career, I was challenged by my Commanding Officer, who heard rumours that I had been seen by officers with a man. I was called up to his office, sat down, and plainly asked are you gay?’”

“Right there and then I had to decide, ‘do I throw everything away, or do I lie?’ I really didn’t want to lie to someone I respected so much but in that split second, I chose to lie and tell him I’d just been supporting a friend who was going through a difficult time, which is why I’d been seen with this man, who was actually my partner.

My Captain accepted it, and I got away with it, but it was an extremely difficult situation to deal with both professionally and personally, and I wrestled with it for many years.”

Former Master at Arms in the Royal Navy and volunteer at Portsmouth Historic Quarter, Gavin Moulds, served in the Special Investigation Branch (SIB) from 1994 – 2003. The SIB was responsible for investigating criminal offences within the Navy, which included being homosexual.

“When I joined the Special Investigation Branch, we were approaching a time when the attitude towards enforcing the homosexuality ban was becoming uncomfortable and difficult to talk about. It was very much a case of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’, however we were bound by our duties and when called upon had to enforce the law by the book,” said Gavin.

He continued: “It was only from about 1995 that the SIB began to align its approach with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, and from then on, the procedure became much more official, and if somebody was believed to be gay, we would perform a full criminal investigation.

“Despite that, there was one case I remember well that many of us found horrific to witness. An Officer was believed to be gay and as such was being interviewed, but the questioning went into a level of intimate detail that was so graphic and humiliating – they weren’t questions I think anyone would be comfortable repeating. It was beyond personal and, in my opinion, completely unnecessary.”

“The ban, the way it was enforced, and to the level it was enforced, was never something I agreed with. However, I cannot help but still feel a degree of guilt for my involvement – an apology would not be enough.”

Fighting with Pride is a charity that aims to support the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ veterans, service personnel and their families.

Since the ban was lifted, Fighting with Pride has supported multiple LGBTQ+ veterans not just with their mental health, but with reclaiming stripped medals and compensation for pension losses as a result of dishonourable discharge.

In December 2024 and following relentless campaigning by Fighting with Pride, The Ministry of Defence announced the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme, which enables anyone impacted by the ban whilst serving in the Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000 to apply for recognition payments up to £50,000. As of 28th April 2025, 1,471 veterans have registered interest in the scheme, whilst 990 have applied for financial recognition and eight with terminal illnesses have received their £50,000 payments.

Roly added: “We estimate that hundreds of LGBTQ+ veterans are yet to come forward for compensation or to have their medals returned. It’s our mission to support all LGBTQ+ veterans in receiving the reparations they deserve, and we urge all those who are yet to come forward, to do so.

“Given the historic sacrifices made by the LGBTQ+ armed forces community in service of their country, it’s important we mark this anniversary in a special way. The unveiling of Landing Craft F8 in her Pride colours is a celebration of real progress for the LGBTQ+ community in the armed forces, and it is an extremely proud moment for both LGBTQ+ veterans and for those serving today.”

Using heritage to shape the future

Portsmouth Historic Quarter has taken meticulous care of Landing Craft F8 since it was acquired in 1994. The charity undertook a restoration project in 2018 to bring her back to life for the public to enjoy today and for years to come.

Portsmouth Historic Quarter aims to use its custody of heritage assets – such as Landing Craft F8 – to shed light on the past, inform our present and help shape the future.

Chief Executive Officer of Portsmouth Historic Quarter, Hannah Prowse said: “In general, heritage organisations are always comfortable telling stories of the distant past – but those within living memory can be more contentious. Younger generations have quite rightly grown up acknowledging the fact that LGBTQ+ individuals are allowed their place in society and in our armed forces as normal. We believe it’s important to highlight how recently-won these freedoms are. 

“To those under the age of 40, it seems astonishing that men and women who served with courage and were willing to risk their lives for their country, were punished for their sexual orientation. They deserve our gratitude and respect. 

“In wrapping Landing Craft F8 in this manner, we’re celebrating the inclusivity now present in our armed forces, celebrating the men and women who serve and have served our country with honour, and celebrating the bravery of those who fought to overturn the ban.”

Landing Craft F8 will be on display in her Pride colours on the pontoons at Boathouse 4 in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and available for charter or walk-up rides from Thursday 15 May until the end of September.

In the Navy today

25 years on from the lifting of the ban, there is evident progress in the attitude towards homosexuality within the armed forces, with the founding of the Royal Navy LGBTQ+ network.

PO Lord Mayhall-Brown, is openly gay and joined the Navy at just 17 years old in 2008, eight years after the lifting of the ban, said: “I have been in the Navy for over 16 years now and I can confidently say there has been a massive shift in attitude towards LGBTQ+ service people. I think the shift is down to the training the Navy and LGBTQ+ network delivers, and the fact our teams are so diverse.

“Marching at Pride and leading the platoon was not only one of the proudest moments of my life but shows how far the armed forces has come and that it’s a safe place for LGBTQ+ people.

“The thought of serving before the ban makes me feel extremely anxious. I don’t think I’d be able to hide such a significant part of who I am and anyone that did must be an incredibly strong person. Anyone who suffered discharge or had to hide themselves deserve as much respect as we can give them. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be doing the job I love today.”

If you or anyone you know was affected by the armed forces homosexuality ban, or want to support the cause, head to fightingwithpride.org.uk to find out more.

Landing Craft F8 is available to ride on from just £10 per person and bookings can be made by emailing boatbookings@portsmouthhq.org or for more information, head to our Charter Page.

Proceeds from Landing Craft F8 charters will go back into maintaining her and the collection of historic craft, ensuring they can be enjoyed by generations to come.