SINCE the Second World War, women have helped maintain and service the Army’s equipment. At first as members of the ATS and WRAC and in recent decades as fully-fledged members of the Corps itself.

The story of the women serving in the traditionally male domain of electrical and mechanical engineering was told in an exhibition at REME Museum at MOD Lyneham in Wiltshire.

Former and current women soldiers who have served with the Corps all met to share their stories with current female trainees who are just embarking on their careers.

All ranks from Brigadier to Craftsman (female members of the Corps chose to keep the traditional rank name) were be represented.

Currently, 10 per cent of the British Army is female and this percentage is rising.

Women soldiers now undergo the same rigorous training as their male colleagues, and as of 2016, can serve in combat theatres.

Claire Sully from the REME Museum said: “The women of REME all have fascinating stories to tell, sometimes of challenges, but most often of the liberation of breaking weaker sex stereotypes and assumptions.

“They have literally broken barriers, changed perceptions and won acceptance through their skill, dedication and bravery.”

Women have been involved in the work of REME since its foundation in 1942, in the middle of World War Two, but only became full members of the Corps in the early 1990s.

The Museum’s temporary exhibition, Women of REME, and events like this one seek to highlight the important role women have and continue to play in a Corps that has always been proud of its female members.

Female members of the REME had these messages to other women thinking of joining: "If a guy can do this job, you are more than capable of doing the same thing. Don’t be afraid of being one of the few girls that join, the guys will not care one bit! This is your chance to shine and prove you are just as good."

"I joined the Army with C grade GCSE’s and I could leave as a Chartered Engineer. There are so many opportunities."