Born: 1918
Died: 2011
Biography:
Roberta Elizabeth Marshall Cowell (8 April 1918 11 October 2011) was a British racing driver and Second World War fighter pilot. She was the first known British trans woman to undergo gender-affirming surgery in 1948.
Roberta Cowell was born on April 8, 1918, to Major-General Sir Ernest Marshall Cowell and Dorothy Elizabeth Miller. She grew up in a privileged household with two siblings, in recognition of her father’s military career. Cowell attended Whitgift School, a boys’ public school in Croydon, where she thrived as an enthusiastic member of the school’s Motor Club. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for motorsports, which would shape her later life.
With her school friend John Cunningham, who would become a notable RAF night fighter ace and test pilot, Cowell embarked on a trip to Belgium, Germany, and Austria in her early years. Her youthful hobby of photography and filmmaking led her to film a group of Nazis drilling in Germany, which resulted in her temporary arrest. She managed to secure her release by agreeing to destroy the film, but cleverly substituted it with unused film stock, enabling her to keep the original footage.
At the age of 16, Cowell left school and joined General Aircraft Limited as an apprentice aircraft engineer. However, she soon decided to pursue her dreams of becoming an RAF pilot and joined the Royal Air Force as an acting pilot officer on probation in August 1936. Unfortunately, Cowell’s career in the RAF was cut short due to airsickness, resulting in her discharge.
Undeterred, Cowell enrolled in engineering studies at University College London in 1936. During the same year, she began her journey into the world of motor racing, winning her class at the Land’s End Speed Trial in a Riley. To gain experience in the sport, Cowell would sneak into the service area at the Brooklands racing circuit, dressed as a mechanic, offering her assistance to drivers and mechanics.
By 1939, Cowell had already owned three cars and competed in the prestigious Antwerp Grand Prix. However, her life took an unexpected turn with the outbreak of the Second World War. On December 28, 1940, she was commissioned into the Royal Army Service Corps as a second lieutenant. In June 1941, Cowell married Diana Margaret Zelma Carpenter, who also had an interest in engineering and motor racing during her time as a student at UCL.
Cowell’s military service initially took her to Iceland before she transferred to the Royal Air Force in January 1942, serving as a pilot officer. Her prior experience and private pilot’s license allowed her to complete RAF flying training at RAF Ansty. Cowell went on to serve with a front-line Spitfire squadron before transitioning to a role as an instructor.
In June 1944, Cowell flew with No. 4 Squadron RAF, specializing in aerial reconnaissance. Throughout the war, the squadron had conducted invaluable photo-reconnaissance missions. Cowell’s involvement in this vital work demonstrated her skill and bravery as a pilot.
After the war, Cowell faced personal challenges and embarked on a path towards gender affirmation. In 1948, she became the first known British trans woman to undergo gender-affirming surgery. This groundbreaking decision not only transformed her life but also made an indelible mark in British history.
Following her transition, Cowell withdrew from public life and chose a quieter existence. However, her pioneering spirit and determination to live an authentic life deserve recognition and have significantly contributed to the history of transgender individuals in the United Kingdom.
Roberta Cowell passed away on October 11, 2011, leaving a lasting legacy as a decorated military pilot, successful racing driver, and LGBTQ+ pioneer. Her courage in embracing her true identity and challenging societal norms continues to inspire and pave the way for future generations.