Brought up in Cambridge, MARY HUDSON’s connection with the RAF began in 1970 when she married an RAF pilot. After attending university as a mature student she joined the WRAF in 1983 and in so doing became the first married WRAF officer with children. In 1994, when the WRAF merged fully with the RAF, she was 'rebranded' as an RAF officer. Whilst with the RAF Mary gained an MA in War Studies from King’s College, London. On leaving the RAF, Mary spent 14 years as specialist civil servant with the MOD’s Air Historical Branch. She was deeply involved with historic RAF casualty enquiries.