Life No.2
So, in 1989, Sarah joined the British Army (!), ending up a Captain. Posted near the Yorkshire Dales for two years, by the sea near Chichester for another two and in between driving around the Austrian and French Alps during the winter months for three years Alpine ski racing - managing to make herself ‘indispensable’ by organising the sponsorship of the team - once again taking her paints and camera.
Whilst taking advantage of these new horizons, yet also instinctively knowing she ‘didn’t really fit in’, she left in 1993 and spent the next fifteen years based in London where her Art developed into her lifelong dominant passion.
Spot the one at the back with her arm up… Regularly in ‘hot water’ for questioning orders, pushing boundaries and unintentionally being a maverick. She proudly held the award of being the 1st on College Orders - next step = the boot!
If marriage hadn’t beckoned, the next posting was to be recruiting. Suited to Sarah’s flamboyant character - and ironically based in Canterbury.
Racing against the men’s military teams, Tri-Service, USA, Europeans.
January 17, 1991, Gulf War 1, when two RAF fighter pilots were shot down, tortured and paraded over World News, there was a crisis of confidence in the 250 strong ski camp (245 were guys, all ranks).
Everyone felt they should be ‘out there in Iraq’. General Sir John Wilsey, who was the big cheese out ‘on the ground’ in the Alps, gathered everyone for a pep talk.
“If you lot were of immediate use out in Gulf, you’d be there. Since you’re not, get on with it, race hard, stay alert and be grateful you’re not in those pilots position!”
France, Serre Chevalier and the Army championships. French doctor says to Sarah “Madamoiselle, vous avez la goutte” my first and luckily only attack of Gout due to ramming high insteps into stifling racing boots for 7 hours a day, 6 days a week.