NHS Buildings Manager reflects on 23 years of military service ahead of Remembrance Day

An NHS Buildings Manager who became the first female Warrant Officer Class 1 in the Royal Engineers Reserve has shared her experiences of military service and the personal significance of Remembrance Day.

Julia Higgins, Buildings Manager in Capital Projects and Estates at Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, has served in the Army Reserve since 2003 and is encouraging people to remember those who have lost their lives in conflict, the families they left behind and those who continue to live with the lasting effects of military service.

With more than 23 years of service in the Royal Engineers, Julia's military career has taken her across the world, including Canada, Belize, Cyprus, Germany and Poland.

Among her most significant experiences were two demanding tours supporting the Royal Welsh and Royal Irish Regiments during operations in Afghanistan, where she worked as a Casualty Coordinator, supporting wounded soldiers and their families.

Reflecting on her service, Julia said: "One of the things I’m most proud of is the support I was able to give to wounded soldiers and their families during some of the hardest times of their lives. Being able to help, even in a small way, was a real privilege and something I’ll always carry with me."

Throughout her military career, Julia has broken barriers, becoming the first female Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) in the Royal Engineers Reserve and serving as the most senior soldier within a regiment.

She said: "The Royal Engineers has traditionally been a male-dominated environment, so reaching that position means a lot to me. But it’s never just been about the rank. It’s about showing that women can succeed at every level, including in roles that are physically and mentally demanding."

Today, Julia continues to serve as a Sergeant Major Instructor, helping to organise and deliver training to prepare soldiers for the challenges of military operations.

Alongside her military commitments, Julia works as a Buildings Manager within the NHS, overseeing the safety, maintenance and management of healthcare buildings to ensure they provide a safe and welcoming environment for patients, visitors and staff.

Having returned to the NHS after spending five years on military deployments, she credits her Armed Forces experience with helping to shape her approach to leadership, teamwork and supporting colleagues.

Julia said: "Although they’re very different organisations, there are a lot of similarities. Both are about people, teamwork and providing a service to others.

"You need to be adaptable, work well under pressure and be able to rely on the people around you. Whether you’re in uniform or working in the NHS, you can’t do everything on your own. It’s about everyone pulling together and doing their bit."

As Remembrance Day approaches on Wednesday 11 November, Julia has reflected on the friends and colleagues she has lost during her military career, as well as the lasting impact of conflict on service personnel and their families.

For her, Remembrance is an opportunity not only to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but also to recognise the experiences of those who returned home with life-changing injuries.

She said: "Having experienced the realities of military operations and lost people I knew and served alongside, Remembrance has become much more personal over the years.

"It’s not just about remembering those who died, but also those who came home with life-changing injuries and the families whose lives were changed forever."

As a member of the Trust's Armed Forces Network, Julia is also passionate about raising awareness of the military community within the NHS and providing support for colleagues who are serving personnel, reservists, veterans or have family connections to the Armed Forces.

She believes Remembrance provides an important opportunity for NHS colleagues to recognise the sacrifices made by military personnel and their loved ones, while reflecting on the shared values of compassion, service and looking after others.

Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive of Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Julia's story is a powerful example of the dedication, courage and resilience shown by those who serve in our Armed Forces. Her achievements throughout more than two decades of military service are truly inspiring, and the skills and values she has developed continue to make a difference within the NHS.

"Remembrance Day is an important opportunity for us all to reflect on the sacrifices made by service personnel and their families, including those who never returned home and those who continue to live with the effects of conflict.

“Across our NHS organisations, we are proud to recognise and support our Armed Forces community, and I would encourage colleagues and members of the public to take a moment to remember those who lost their lives, as well as those whose lives have been changed by conflict.”

Encouraging people to take time to reflect this Remembrance Day, Julia added: "For me, Remembrance is about people. Behind every name on a memorial or every poppy worn is someone who had a life, a family, friends and a story.

"I’d just ask people to take a moment to think about those who never came home, the families they left behind and those who continue to live with the effects of conflict. We owe it to them to remember."