Join us for our next captivating Literary Lunch on Thursday, 25th April, at The Old Bull in Royston from 12:15 pm to 2:15 pm. Immerse yourself in the remarkable story of Lucy Lewis, the UK’s first female bomb disposal expert, as she engages in conversation with Sarah Harrison.
Lucy Lewis
Lucy embarked on her military journey in 1989, enlisting in the Army. While serving with the Royal Engineers, she achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first woman to operate as a bomb disposal officer.
Transitioning to the Royal Military Police, Lucy dedicated eight years to her service. Her final role as a staff officer in the Ministry of Defence marked the conclusion of her military career, retiring with the rank of major in 1998 to focus on starting a family.
Lucy’s achievements extended beyond her military career. Notably, she broke barriers by becoming the first woman in 809 years to be appointed Marshal of Cambridge University. Before this, Lucy served as a University Constable for eight years, leveraging her law degree to contribute to the university community.
Book Synopsis
Imagine standing over a bomb – you need to make a choice. Remember, your life depends on it.
In this extraordinary memoir, Lucy reveals the hidden world of bomb disposal training and how she came to be the UK’s first female bomb disposal expert. From joining Sandhurst to rushing to her first bomb disposal call-out, Lucy’s story is full of high stakes and tense situations that, for most of us, are beyond comprehension.
Lucy’s story is also a deeply inspirational one – joining the military in the 1980s just as women were taking on more dangerous roles, Lucy’s every move was watched and scrutinised. This didn’t hold her back, and that is how she broke through the ceiling, fought against sexism and achieved something no woman had ever done before.
‘Lighting the Fuse’ is an eye-opening memoir, that reveals the hidden world of being a woman in the military and how a young woman with an ordinary background, made history – not just once, but twice.
From the moment I started to read it I had difficulty putting it down.
