Sibling solidarity: The sisters and brothers serving side by side in the Armed Forces
Three sisters are keeping a family tradition alive, pursuing parallel careers in the Armed Forces, gaining 60 years of collective service between them.
The eldest of the three, Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Fiona Hookway, was the first to join the Army 30 years ago, when she was only 19.
Her two younger sisters, Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Anita Weston and Captain Charmian Quartly now also serve alongside her.
WO1 Hookway, who serves in the Royal Artillery, currently works on the Army's Research and Experimentation Programme at Army Headquarters in Andover.
"I love the diversity of the jobs I've had in my career and the myriad of opportunities it brings to myself, my family and to the individuals who proactively seek them out," she said.
"It offers a spectrum of possibilities for personal and professional growth, development, and enrichment of life skills."
WO1 Hookway has deployed to more than 16 countries to date – including Iraq on Op Telic – and is also a qualified ski instructor.
"It has been about embracing the challenge, finding inspiration in every mission and revelling in the camaraderie of diverse encounters and making some lifelong friends along the way," she added.
"A career in the Army offers the chance to traverse the globe, explore new horizons and seize each opportunity to live life to the fullest – all whilst getting paid."
Her sister, WO2 Weston, currently serves in the Adjutant General's Corps.
She says she joined the Army because she wanted a career that would keep her physically fit and intellectually challenged.
"I've managed to incorporate skiing, netball, badminton, basketball, swimming, cross-country and freefall skydiving into my work life, and I'm in my third year on the Army Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship programme, completing a Professional and Business Management Degree," she said.
WO2 Weston experienced active duty in Afghanistan and has now gained a Late Entry Commission to become an officer, committing to another 10 years in the Army.
"I work with some incredible people and I'm forever inspired by so many," she said. "This has helped and still helps aid and influence my own military journey."
A firm family commitment
The youngest of the three sisters, Capt Quartly, also works at Army Headquarters, with Educational and Training Services, after commissioning from Sandhurst.
"I had seen the example set by two of my four older sisters and decided the progression, stability and lifestyle was one I wanted to be part of," she said.
"It was exciting to me that I could develop my love of education and inspiration in a military setting, not to mention the qualifications I would get as part of my career progression, and fully funded by the Army."
Brothers in arms
Three brothers are also serving side by side in the Army.
Sergeant Stephen Wilson, Captain Shane Wilson and Captain Mark Wilson all joined the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (1 LANCS) and were even recently deployed together in Estonia on Exercise Hedgehog, a multi-national exercise involving 17,000 troops.
"When you deploy overseas for lengthy periods, it's a lot easier knowing that you've got some of your direct family with you," said Capt Mark Wilson, during the exercise.
"This is the first time in 14 years that we have all been together.
"Our paths crossed a lot in the first three or four years, but then we were all promoted at different times and spread to different places."
But the three siblings always had a similar aim in life.
"It was an easy decision for us all to make to join the military because both our parents and grandparents served in the preceding regiments that formed the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment of today," said Capt Shane Wilson.
"The military is deep-rooted within the wider family, whether it's been the infantry, the artillery or even the catering corps where our uncles served."
Join Our Newsletter
