More than 700 junior soldiers marched proudly across the parade square at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College this week, but for one family, the moment carried an extra layer of pride.
Just weeks after completing her own basic training with the Army Reserve, 39-year-old Sherene De Stadler was in the stands watching her daughter Chloe graduate. The milestone marked two Army pass-out parades for the family in quick succession.
“Any mother is going to be proud of their daughter or son when they graduate,” Sherene said. “But knowing personally what she has been through in the last six months, that pride tops anything I’ve ever known before.”
Sherene decided to enlist after Chloe joined the Army, aiming to create a “strong military presence in the household” and better understand her daughter’s training. “It’s a completely different language to the normal civvy world,” she added.
For 17-year-old Chloe, originally from Surrey, the feeling was mutual. Only weeks earlier, she had been in the crowd cheering her mum through her own passing out parade. “Knowing that my mum stood on that parade and had done it all, there’s no words to explain it,” she said.
Chloe now hopes to join the Army Air Corps and one day gain a pilot’s licence, a career path that runs in the family; her great-grandmother was also a pilot. Sherene plans to pursue a career training new recruits, building on her previous work in physical training.
Following the parade, the pair attended a celebration lunch with high-ranking guests. “To hear what they’ve all been through, it just shows everybody’s in the same boat at one point in their journey and there is only room to grow,” Sherene said.
Young Leader Takes Parade Honour
Also among those honoured at the VIP lunch was 16-year-old Wesley Jefferson-Hallett, who led the parade after being named junior Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM).
“It was nerve-racking but I got it done and I didn’t ruin it, so I’m pretty happy,” Wesley said, revealing that he hadn’t told his family about his key role until the big day. “I could hear my dad shouting at me from the side. The amount of people I marched off the square, it’s amazing.”
From York, Wesley had been working on a building site before deciding to follow his older brother into the Army. His highlight of the day? Meeting former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate, a local resident and guest of honour. Wesley now aims to join the Parachute Regiment after completing phase two training.
College RSM Ben Townley said the day was a fitting reward for the soldiers’ determination. “It’s been a tough journey for some of them, very challenging,” he said. “I know some had a few wobbles along the way, but seeing the smiles on their faces is brilliant.”
