Hero soldier to guard the Queen

One hero soldier is set to begin a new two-year posting guarding the queen in London following his second tour in Afghanistan.

Kent News reported that Private Shane Prentis of Tunbridge Wells will be among the first troops to take on public guard duties in front of Buckingham Palace.

The move represents a break from the centuries-old tradition of palace guardsmen sporting ceremonial tunics and his commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Adam Crawley commented that it could help war heroes gain a more public profile on home soil.

“You could say we have swapped the enemy fire of Afghanistan for the flash bulbs of London,” he said.

He added: “Public duties will actually give them the opportunities to show off those Afghanistan medals while they are on the parade ground in front of Buckingham Palace.”

Earlier this month, the Press Association reported the Queen recognised another heroic soldier from Afghanistan at a recent ceremony in Edinburgh.

The military honour was given to Lance Corporal David Timmins by the Queen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Posted by Trevor Smith