A SEX swap soldier says she has been overwhelmed by messages of support since her story featured in The Gazette.
Jan Hamilton, who lives in Lytham, told the extraordinary story of her transformation from a 16-stone paratrooper to a Size 10 woman.
The highly decorated officer, who served in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq, was convinced she should have been born a woman and became the first paratrooper in the history of the British Armed Forces to undergo a sex-change operation.
Para who became a womanThe transformation Jan underwent was also featured in a Channel 4 documentary.
Since then, the 43-year-old – who was once married – says she has been inundated with messages from well-wishers and people offering her support.
She said: "It's been quite surprising really and a little overwhelming, but lovely. I am so grateful to the people of Blackpool and Lytham.
"At times it's had me in tears. I can't believe people are being so wonderful.
"I would say 98 per cent of the correspondence has been nice. People have been genuinely supportive. Anton's Cafe in Lytham, which was featured in the documentary has also had lots of people calling or leaving letters.
"I must have had 50 e-mails. A guy came up to me in the street the other day, just hugged me. He said my story had brought out some issues for him.
"I have had messages from guys, some who would like to take me out."
Jan is currently taking action against the Army after it withdrew a job offer from her when she revealed her sex change.
She said: "I am due to go to court again in 10 days' time and I have been getting scared about it. But the fact people are supporting me means a lot."
Jan is now looking for a job and is busy with TV appearances and magazine articles.
She said: "I am hoping to work with voluntary and support groups. My aim is to try to help people understand what transgender people go through and to help others who might be going through the same."
The full article contains 361 words and appears in Blackpool Gazette newspaper.
