Cultural Crosswords

Roberta Cowell was born in London in 1918, one of three children of Major-General Sir Ernest Marshall Cowell. It was a fairly normal childhood for someone of her background, attending public school before studying engineering at University College London.

However, as she grew older, she developed an intense passion for motor racing, sneaking into Brooklands racing circuit dressed as a mechanic. She even managed to purchase her own car, competing in the 1939 Antwerp Grand Prix.

Enlisting in the RAF at the outbreak of WWII, Cowell became a pilot and served in a front-line Spitfire squadron. There was a lucky escape when the oxygen system failed and Cowell passed out, flying for more than an hour over occupied France before regaining consciousness.

However, she was shot down and crashed near Kessel in Germany in 1944, being captured by Nazi troops. After several escape attempts, she was moved to the Stalag Luft I POW camp where she would remain until the end of the war.

Post war, Cowell made a return to motor racing but was also beginning to suffer the effects of PTSD, as well as depression. It was during therapy that Cowell began to realize that her 'unconscious mind was predominantly female'.

Cowell began the long and revolutionary journey towards transitioning. She became acquainted with pioneering surgeon Michael Dillon and became one of the first British trans women to undergo gender affirming surgery.

News of her surgery broke and Roberta became the subject of intense public interest, perhaps increased by her history as a racing driver and war hero - 'traditionally masculine' pursuits. Roberta continued to race cars, and even considered flying across the South Atlantic.

However, interest in her story was mostly forgotten until her death in 2011, when several major newspapers reminded the world about her incredible adventures and pioneering journey.