I wished then that my grandfather could have seen me.

In 2003 my battalion was ordered to take part in the war in Iraq and was awarded a battle honour. After three years in Germany we relocated to London where we carried out ceremonial duties after serving for a short while in Northern Ireland, where I was awarded my first chevron to become a Lance Corporal.

As I stood before my Commanding Officer's desk, ready to receive my chevron, he asked me what the chevron meant to me. I, proudly and a bit nervously, told him that joining the army was the greatest choice I had ever made and receiving the chevron made all the hard work and sacrifices worth it. I also added that I had made my family proud.

He looked me in the eye and told me that everything I had said was true but along with all that came the responsibility to lead by example. He said that I was to show the young Guardsmen how things should be done and to stop anyone who does wrong, lead them away from trouble and greatness would come my way.

That day I left with pride and honour and felt it was the beginning of great things for me.