“WHEN I joined, I didn’t even know my sexuality was not permitted in the service.”

Signing up to serve one’s country in the RAF should be a matter of immense pride. There can be no greater sacrifice.

But for many, it became a decision that ended in ‘disgrace’ through absolutely no fault of their own.

For between 1967 and 2000, LGBT people were banned from serving in the British military.

Among them was former airman Mark Shephard, from Taunton.

Mark was a Senior Aircraftman Technician when, in 1999, he was asked to leave the RAF.

“I had two choices – to leave immediately or put in my PVR (Premature Voluntary Release),” he said. “As I had just had my bonus, I had no choice but to put in my PVR. I had just bought a new car with the money and, if I left immediately, I had to pay the money back.

“To be honest, I felt numb as, after that first meeting, I had no contact with anyone senior.

“I had to carry on regardless, knowing I was being forced to leave.”

He didn’t even tell friends and family why he was leaving the RAF, instead letting them believe it was his decision.

“I didn’t tell any friends or family until recently which was obviously a massive shock as they thought I had left of my own accord,” he went on.

“When I joined, I didn’t even know my sexuality was not permitted in the service.”

Mark was among hundreds of others who suffered a similar fate, forced to leave their career of choice through no fault of their own.

Now, Mark has received an official apology.

In a ceremony at County Hall this month, he was presented with Restorative Measures by MP Gideon Amos (Lib Dem, Taunton & Wellington), who had raised his case in Parliament.

Mark – and others like him – are finally receiving official recognition and an apology for the unjust treatment they endured during their service.

And Mr Amos said he had been honoured and humbled to be asked to take up Mark’s case.

“What happened should never have happened to you,” he said.

The RAF was represented at the ceremony by Flight Lieutenant Chris Smale, co-chair of its LGBTQ+ Network.

Mark Shephard with dignitaries and friends and family

He played two videos – from the RAF’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, and Director of People, Air Vice-Marshal Simon Edwards – apologising for the way those affected had been treated.

Flight Lieutenant Smale told Mark: “Without the struggle you went through, I wouldn’t be able to wear the uniform and stand before you today, so thank you from me, personally.”

“Welcome back to the veterans’ family,” he added.

Mr Amos presented Mark with a commemorative box containing a signed apology letter from the Chief of the Air Staff, a new beret and cap badge, along with the Etherton Ribbon, which was designed by LGBT veterans, current serving LGBT personnel, and charity representatives.

“I’m very happy that I have been welcomed back into the RAF family – even though, after I left, I continued working for the military until this day without any issues regarding my sexuality,” Mark added.

“Today’s ceremony was a really nice and intimate chance for me and my family to celebrate my time in the RAF.

“I would like to thank Gideon and everyone else involved who helped to enable today’s event and him speaking about me in Parliament was amazing.

“I won’t forget everything that has been done.”

Mark is currently working for Aquila at RNAS Yeovilton as a system support engineer for Air Traffic Control systems in the south west.