AN Army medic has joined Olympians and high-ranking soldiers for a photoshoot to celebrate a century of women in the forces.

Armed Forces charity SSAFA has commissioned renowned war photographer Robert Wilson to create an iconic image of female veterans and those serving in the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Airforce, including Olympic gold medallists Dame Kelly Holmes and Heather Stanning.

Abbie Colvin, who is based in Colchester and is expecting her second child next month, has been chosen to be part of the celebration.

Having signed up to become a combat medic aged 21, she was deployed to Afghanistan in 2008.

Two years later she began studying to become a registered nurse and was deployed to Sierra Leone during the Ebola crisis in 2014.

The 11 women photographed with Abbie include the first woman to kill in combat, the highest-ranking woman in the British Army, the first transgender woman to serve -who began her career in the Royal Air Force as a man - and a 95-year-old veteran who served in the Second World War.

SSAFA chief executive Sir Andrew Gregory said:“Women have been officially serving our country for a century.

“SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity has been in existence for 132 years and has witnessed the evolution of the roles available for females within the military.

“We must take a moment to pause, reflect and celebrate their contribution as this milestone approaches.

“It is essential we continue to promote inclusivity and diversity throughout our Armed Forces in order to benefit from the talent that exists across British society.”

When the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and the first time women were formally enrolled in the UK Armed Forces in 1917 women’s roles involved cooking, administration and mechanical work.

Nowadays they can work in close combat roles in the Royal Marines, Royal Armoured Corps, infantry and Royal Air Force Regiment opportunities opened up to them last year.

War photographer, Robert Wilson said he was delighted to have been chosen for the commemoration.

He said: “It was an honour to be asked to create an image to mark the 100 year anniversary of women enlisting in the UK Armed Forces and it was an absolute pleasure working with these 12 incredible women.

“SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity does such fantastic work supporting the family members of and those that have served our country in historical and recent conflicts.”

Double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes, who served in the British Army for ten years, said: “One of my earliest ambitions was to join the Army and win an Olympic gold medal and I was certain that being female wouldn’t stop me from doing either.

“I am so proud to have served my country and serve alongside so many inspirational women.

“I was really pleased to join SSAFA’s celebration of women in our Armed Forces.”