A JUNIOR soldier is set to serve with the Royal Welsh Regiment after celebrating his graduation in a military parade at the Army Foundation College.

Rhys Tolley, 18, of Blackwood, took part in the passing out parade with hundreds of junior soldiers at the college in Harrogate, North Yorkshire yesterday.

The parade marks the completion of the soldiers’ British Army Junior Entry training at Uniacke Barracks, where they are paid to train. Mr Tolley, who studied at Blackwood School, will now serve with the Royal Welsh Regiment.

He said: “Graduating from AFC Harrogate in front of my friends and family is something that I am very proud of doing. They are all really proud and happy for me.

“As a junior soldier you learn core life skills such as leadership, teamwork and determination. I have made loads of friends and met new people, and have become much more confident in my own ability.

“I’ve been paid really well for someone of my age and I’ve got some really useful qualifications. I’m now really looking forward to the next stage of my Army career.”

Every year, AFC Harrogate takes in 1,350 school-leavers in two intakes (March and September).