LCpl Katrina Hodge
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AN accidental beauty queen hasbeaten scores of contestants to reach the semi-finals of one of the biggest competitions in the UK.
LCpl Katrina Hodge is now a strong favourite to be named as Miss England after a friend secretly entered her picture in the hometown heats of the high-profile pageant.
Now life has been turned upside down for the Adjutant General’s Corps clerk, who was overjoyed when judges called to say she had won the title of Miss Tunbridge Wells.
The 21-year-old, who has a tour of southern Iraq under her belt, admitted that she was delighted to have progressed to the semi-final stages of the national competition, which are taking place in Leicester on June 15 and 16.
To win, LCpl Hodge, who has been dubbed Combat Barbie by The Sun, must prove that she can represent the country for a year by showcasing her talents and convincing the judging panel that her charity is a worthy one. Being Miss England is a role she sees as an opportunity to raise cash for a range of military charities.
She confided: “The judges put me straight through to represent Tunbridge Wells because they thought I had a good cause, which was to raise money for injured soldiers.
“I plan to represent all Army charities and I hope to raise awareness across the UK. All of the Forces charities are worthwhile and I wouldn’t want to choose one over the others.”
The Miss England contender, pictured right, thanked her Army training for turning her into a confident and disciplined young woman and believed her military qualities have helped her progress as far as she has.
But while flirting with the lifestyle trappings of a beauty queen has been a welcome experience, LCpl Hodge insisted that she remained fully committed to her Army career and her job at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey.
“Even if I won Miss England I would like to return to Army life as I enjoy what I do,” she said.
“I see this as a great opportunity to raise money for worthwhile charities such as Help for Heroes and, of course, SSAFA Forces Help.”
l To follow Katrina’s progress visit www.missengland.info or donate to her chosen charities by visiting www.justgiving.com/katrinahodge
High life on the Rock
HIGH-flying sappers put themselves out on a limb for their trade as they carried out a heart-stopping renovation job dangling off the Rock of Gibraltar.
The soldiers from Germany-based 35 Engineer Regiment braved high winds and pouring rain to convert an old wartime bunker into a viewing platform for visitors.
They worked 100 metres up a cliff face, tethered to scaffolding with safety harnesses as they battled relentlessly to complete the testing mission on time.
The job was part of a package of tasks given to 37 Armoured Engineer Squadron on Exercise 29th Shot, an eight-week series of construction projects on the Rock.
Lt Dave Luke, who led the 1 Troop soldiers carrying out the dangerous observation point work, told Soldier: “The job was a high-risk version of the complex command tasks that you have to do before you go to the Royal Military Academy.
“The soldiers were working outside their comfort zones, in high winds and with the rain hurling down on them. The environmental conditions were tough.”
During the job, which took three weeks to complete, the troops – who are normally based in Paderborn as part of the 20th Armoured Brigade – had to secure the area below the bunker before breaking up reinforced concrete.
They erected scaffolding and secured themselves to cliffs with harnesses before clearing three tonnes of rubble. With the demolition complete they set about transforming the site into a viewing platform overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar.
“The young junior NCOs were in their element in this work, although I have to say that I breathed a sigh of relief when the task was complete,” said Lt Luke.
“But I know that I can absolutely trust the section commanders because of the way they have worked together out here. We have built a lot of cohesion.”
Squadron OC Maj Andrew Devey was also delighted with the achievements of the soldiers during Exercise 29th Shot. They had also taken part in other projects including a demolition and sprucing up the Royal Marines diving centre on the Rock.
“This was a hugely valuable exercise for the troops in preparation for future operations. The guys are hugely confident in their trade abilities,” Maj Devey concluded.
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Royal recommendation: The Queen penned a message of thanks to members of the TA past and present
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THE Territorial Army’s century of loyal service has been recognised by the highest echelons after the Queen sent a special message to its soldiers past and present.
In a widely distributed commemorative card, the Sovereign praised the troops for their contribution in times of peace and conflict. The Queen, who is the patron of the TA 100 commemorations, also expressed her admiration for those volunteering to serve on current operations in Iraq and southern Afghanistan.
The Sovereign wrote: “Throughout the century, volunteers have served this country with selfless duty and courage, through two World Wars and many other operations, and they have been supported in this through their families, society and employers.
“This tradition of service has, perhaps, never been more vital to the Army than now. In recent years I have admired the way in which so many Territorials have volunteered to serve or to support the work of those deployed.”
The Queen’s message added: “I wish to express my gratitude to every member of the Territorial Army, serving and retired, to your remarkable record of service to the nation.”
The exclusive cards dropped through mailboxes or were presented to soldiers by their commanding officers as part of a programme of national events to commemorate the TA’s remarkable record of service. It includes a service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London this month and an act of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire.
The Armed Forces memorial in Lichfield lists the names of more than 300 TA soldiers killed in training, battle and on peacekeeping operations during the last 60 years.
Senior salute
From the top: Gen Sir Richard Dannatt praised the professionalism of reservists at the launch of TA 100
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BRITAIN’S most senior soldier praised the Territorial Army as an “essential” component of operations at an event to celebrate the organisation’s centenary.
Speaking exclusively to Soldier during the TA 100 launch at the Tower of London, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, paid tribute to the volunteer troops’ professionalism and said their commitment was key in keeping a hectic Army from faltering.
Gen Dannatt told Soldier: “As I have often said, the engine is running hot and it can run hot provided it has enough oil to keep it going.
“The 1,500 or so Territorials deployed every year are part of that oil which keeps the engine going. They are essential and I am delighted they are here and willing and able to serve.”
CGS added that TA soldiers fitted in well to the “One Army” concept, working alongside full-time colleagues to make sure operational demands were met.
The head of the Army added: “When you see soldiers deployed on operations in their full kit they are indistinguishable from a Regular. They are doing the same job. When we talk about having ‘One Army’, it is one team and that is absolutely right. Some people are full-time Regulars; others are part-time Territorials. But it is one job.”
Gen Dannatt added that he was positive about future TA recruitment, claiming the intake for the Army was “pretty buoyant” and that retention was now the key issue.
CGS admitted: “Our strength would come much closer to 100 per cent if we could keep trained serving soldiers for a little bit longer and that’s why we are focusing quite a lot of our efforts on keeping manning up.”
Gen Dannatt went on to pay tribute to the bravery of TA soldiers past and present. He highlighted that troops such as Pte Luke Cole of the 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment – who won the Military Cross in Afghanistan – were an example to the whole Army.
“His award will inspire his mates in his TA unit and the Regular unit he was serving with,” Gen Dannatt concluded. “I salute him as I salute the whole TA in their 100th year.”
See Territorials: A Century of Service
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in brief . . .
FALKLANDS War veterans have applauded a Government decision allowing them to take advantage of cheap travel for pilgrimages back to the islands. Under a new scheme, former Service personnel can now use the MoD Indulgence Flight system.
Veterans must hold the South Atlantic Medal to apply for the initiative, which begins in September, with bids confirmed two days before flights are due to leave.
Kenny Dawkins, deputy chairman of the South Atlantic Medal Association’s pilgrimages committee and a former soldier with the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards, said: “The Government has really played for us and has helped with this issue. If guys cannot pay to go back to the islands, we will help raise money for them.”
Further information on the indulgence scheme is available by calling 07730 267 307.
THE new incarnation of the ArmyNet web portal was set to be launched as this issue went to press and programmers have promised a host of new features.
The secure website, which now has 155,000 users, has been given a complete makeover with refreshed features including a much-upgraded email system. Established high points of the site already include an instant messaging facility and an SMS service, allowing soldiers to send out texts to several mobile phones at once.
SOLDIER staff members have been short-listed for three class awards in the national competition of the British Association of Communicators in Business (CiB).
Cliff Caswell’s impressive coverage of last year’s 25th anniversary of the Falklands War, which included interviews with Argentinian veterans, earned an award of excellence for best event reporting, and there were similar accolades for photographers Mike Weston and Graeme Main.
Weston’s dramatic shot (March 2007 edition) of the Royal Artillery’s new “60km sniper”, the Guided Multiple-Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), test firing on the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, was nominated in the best news photo category, while Main was singled out in the best illustration class for his heart-warming picture (December) of 3 Para amputees Sgt Stuart Pearson and Cpl Stuart Hale winning their battle for fitness after sustaining serious injuries in combat in Afghanistan.
Class winners will be announced at the CiB’s national conference in Brighton later this month. Judges described Soldier as “a quality magazine”. |
Anyone for tennis?
FILLING time in one of the most dangerous cities in the world is a challenge for most soldiers but for a table tennis champion with no opposition it’s near impossible.
Based at the British Support Unit in Baghdad’s International Zone, LCpl Abs Aboagye, pictured, who is originally from Ghana, has been shunned by friends scared off by his prowess on the table.
The human resources administrator of B Company, 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, clocked up the title of Ghanaian youth champion, but has not played professionally since joining the Army five years ago despite having a table tennis table at his base.
The 29-year-old told Soldier: “It’s all psychology really, no one wants to play me as they think I will disgrace them. As a result I cannot practise as I have no challengers.
“I am always looking for someone to play and I am keen to get back into competing within the table tennis arena.”
LCpl Aboagye discovered his talent and passion for the sport after injuring himself playing football as a 12-year-old.
100th anniversaries of the ta
National events to mark the 100th anniversaries of the TA, Reserve Forces and Cadets Association include:
May 15: Service of Thanksgiving, St Paul’s Cathedral, London
June 14: Locomotive Dedication, National Railway Museum, York
June 21: National Pageant, Horse Guards, London
June 21: CRFCA National Reception, St James’s Palace
July 10: Royal Garden Party, Buckingham Palace
July 16: Voluntary Uniform to Work Day
September 13: TA100 Act of Remembrance, Armed Forces Memorial, Lichfield
November 8-9: Remembrance Events
For more information visit:
www.ta100.co.uk
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