Phoebe Hessel

Phoebe Hessel, née Smith (March 1713 – 12 December 1821) was best known for disguising herself as a man to serve in the British Army, probably to be with her lover, Samuel Golding.

According to a sergeant of the regiment, her sex was revealed when she was undressed to be whipped, upon which she only commented: "Strike and be damned!

She supported herself by selling fish in and around Brighton, and her evidence was instrumental in securing the conviction and execution of highwayman James Rooke.

In old age, she sold small items, such as oranges and gingerbread, on a street corner near the Brighton Pavilion.

She was forced into the workhouse, but was granted a pension of half a guinea a week by the Prince Regent in 1808.