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09
Aug
GALLERY: Gareth Southgate attends junior soldier graduation in Harrogate
Sir Gareth Southgate attended the junior soldier graduation at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College this week.
The former England men’s football team manager joined more than 5,000 family members at the college on Penny Pot Lane to mark the graduation of the latest batch of junior soldiers.
More than 700 junior soldiers aged 16 and 17 marched onto the parade square on Thursday (August 7) after completing their basic training.
The college trains two cohorts of junior soldiers each year on either a 49-week course or a 23-week course.
The graduates undertook military training, fitness, and education as well as a two-week battle camp and tactical exercise to prepare for life in the British Army.
General Sir Roly Walker, the army’s chief of the general staff, was the senior inspecting officer on the day.
Sir Roly Walker presents the best physical training award to junior soldier Fraser. Pic: MoD
The graduation parade. Pic: MoD
Sir Gareth, who lives near Harrogate, was guest of honour.
He told the military charity website BFBS British Forces it was his first time attending and he was struck by the support from all the families.
Asked whether he saw similarities between the young soldiers on parade and the footballers he's coached, he replied:
Completely. I think young people probably don't realise what’s possible in your life – and the disciplines, the physical training that helps you to be mentally strong as well – there are so many alignments.
And our guys are from the same background as everybody that's here.
The graduation parade. Pic: MoD
Among those graduating were 17-year-old Madalyn Laycock, from Goole, whose dad, Captain Graham Laycock, is an instructor at the college.
He watched his daughter pass out from the same college where he trained to become a soldier 26 years earlier.
He said: “This experience has been one of the most emotional and rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve loved watching her grow so quickly into a stronger person, full of confidence. She’s not following my path, we simply started at the same place, she’s carving out her own, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Also graduating was 17-year-old Chloe De Stadler, from Epsom, Surrey, who was watched by her mum Sherene De Stadler, who has just passed her own initial training to become an army reservist.
Chloe, who enlisted following her GCSEs, said: “I am grateful for the opportunities it will give my future career and the challenges I will need to overcome to get there.”
Chloe will join the Army Air Corps as groundcrew, while Sherene is joining the Grenadier Guards alongside her gym management role.
Junior soldier Chloe De Stadler and her reservist mum Sherene De Stafler. Pic: MoD
The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas playing at the event. Pic: MoD
Junior soldier Madalyn Laycock and her college instructor dad Captain Graham Laycock. Pic: MoD
Chloe De Stadler and Sherene De Stadler embrace. Pic: MoD
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