Transgender war veteran is a testament to tolerant times

Life, we are given to believe, begins at 40. Or we were until 60 became the new 40. Some people, however, have to wait decades longer. How tragic, but uplifting, to read the story of the Second World War veteran Peter Davies who, in his 90th year, has “come out” as a woman.

Peter, now Patricia, knew from the age of three that she was female but was trapped in a male body. And although his mother indulged her son and did not object when he showed a preference for girls’ toys, there was no question back then of doing anything other than live a lie. And so, with great strength of character and a heavy heart, that is what Peter did. A happy, 63-year marriage brought consolation. He says he never felt homosexual urges, but he was 60 before he plucked up the courage to tell his wife. She responded with kindness.

Peter’s wife bought him dresses and jewellery and called him by his female name when they were alone. Having worked as an industrial photographer, Peter did briefly venture out dressed as a woman, but was met with such mockery he chose to keep his true identity concealed. Reading between the lines, however, his decision was made to spare his wife’s feelings.

It wasn’t until after she died in 2011 that he sought medical advice and support; he was prescribed oestrogen, and NHS records were changed to record him as female rather than male.

She has not ruled out gender reassignment surgery to complete the transition; it would have made all the difference to Peter’s salad days, but is that reason to withhold it in Patricia’s twilight years? That she feels she can now be herself is a credit to the tolerant times we live in.

Yes, NHS resources are necessarily rationed, and age is one criterion. But if crowdfunding is for anything it is for this. The LGBT lobby must surely rally to the cause of a stoical old soldier. Let me start them off with a pledge of the first fiver, and the fervent hope that in future the Patricias of this world won’t have to wait nine decades to be accepted.