Lower Clapton woman Evadne Gordon becomes longest-serving female member of Royal Naval Reserves

Lower Clapton woman Evadne Gordon is celebrating becoming the longest serving female member of the Royal Naval Reserves.

The 59-year-old joined as a Wren aged 19 after responding to a newspaper ad in 1977 when she studying for A-levels at John Howard School – where Clapton Girls’ now stands.

Some 40 years on and now a Chief Petty Officer, she has no intention of hanging up her uniform.

Unlike when she joined, the Reserves are now fully integrated into the Armed Forces, and women are treated equally to men and can serve on the front line.

Evadne, who lives in Lea Bridge Road, said: “When I joined the Wrens we were a separate entity and lots of full timers didn’t know who we were and what we did – they thought we were veterans on the reserve list.

“I wasn’t allowed to serve at sea or carry arms when I joined, but now there are no limits to what we are able to do.”