First for Army as soldier weds his groom on base
... and Air Vice Marshal does the honours!
AN Army sergeant and his male partner have become the first gay couple to get married at a British military base overseas.
Sergeant Alastair Smith, 36, of the 2nd Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, married civilian Aaron Weston on British forces territory in Dhekelia, Cyprus.
The nuptials were approved and officiated by Air Vice Marshal Mike Wigston, the commander and administrator of the Army’s sovereign base area.
Dressed in civilian clothes, complete with pink buttonholes and matching pink bow ties, the couple married at a picturesque spot on the coastline known as Fisherman’s Cove on September 10.
Air Vice Marshal Wigston wore his military fatigues for the ceremony, attended by the men’s family, friends and soldiers from the battalion, which is known as The Tigers.
While it was the first gay wedding on British military territory overseas, a small number are believed to have taken place at UK bases.
According to an Army lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender website, Sgt Smith was previously married to a woman with whom he had children. He was described as an assistant intelligence officer in Cyprus.
Speaking about the ceremony, Sgt Smith said: ‘As well as having the great honour of being able to serve in an infantry battalion in the British Army, it’s also an honour to be able to commit myself to my husband with the full backing and support of the British Army in the unique environment that Cyprus offers.
‘We are proud to be able to serve and live in this community.’
While still a corporal, he wrote in a blog: ‘When I joined the Army, coming out would have meant getting kicked out, but by the time I had established myself and my battalion found out, it no longer meant a career death sentence. I was afraid to come out, got married and had children. Now my children know Daddy is gay and they love and adore my partner.’
Sgt Smith, who has also been deployed to Botswana and Northern Ireland, wrote in the blog: ‘The Infantry has the rep (sic) for being macho.’ He revealed his sexuality at a corporals’ mess function. ‘Rumours had been flying round and I thought, “Why hide it any longer?”’ he said.
‘So I said to someone, “Yeah, I’m gay – is there a problem with that?” Two of the biggest corporals in our mess started to walk over to me, and I had a fight-or-flight instinct, but I noticed they were both smiling.
‘They stuck out their hands and shook mine, telling me I must have been the bravest man in the world to come out firstly in an infantry battalion and secondly in the corporals’ mess.’
He said: ‘The Army has always had banter and I can give as good as I get. That said, I’ve never had anything malicious said to me and I have never felt any different to any other soldiers.’
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said Sgt Smith was ‘overjoyed to be able to celebrate the ground-breaking day with his husband, surrounded by his friends, family and infantry colleagues’.
Sgt Smith’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Davies, said: ‘I am delighted Sgt Smith and Aaron were able to get married on the Dhekelia coastline – a cracking choice. We wish them the very best of happiness.’
Platoon commander Captain Dan Cole said: ‘It’s a pleasure working with Sergeant Smith and I’m very happy he’s found someone he wants to spend the rest of his life with.’
Private Liam Gibson, who works for Sgt Smith, said: ‘Everybody wants to be with the person they love, regardless of gender. I’m over the moon to be a part of the wedding of two good friends of mine.’