7/5/2008Royal guard honour for city woman
ARMY officer Laura Duckworth from Glasgow marched into the history books when she stood guard at Buckingham Palace.
She was the first woman officer from the Corps of Royal Engineers to provide the Queen's Guard.
Duckworth, from Dowanhill, took up her Royal duties after serving in the Helmand Province of Southern Afghanistan when the town of Musa Qaleh was recaptured from the Taliban.
The squadron built a safety compound for security forces operating in the area.
She admitted the switch to one of the world's top palaces was a culture shock. The 24-year-old said: "It is definitely a privilege to be able to take part. It's certainly different and it's not something every soldier has the opportunity to do."
As a troop commander, Lieutenant Duckworth is responsible for the career management and training of around 60 soldiers.
She said: "Part of my job is to ensure the soldiers have the correct kit and equipment, that they are trained and to deal with any everyday problems they might have."
But standing guard at Buckingham Palace required three weeks of drill and kit preparation.
She had to be fitted out with ceremonial uniforms of blue jackets and blue trousers with red stripes, as well as peaked caps.
Other soldiers from the regiment were on guard duty at St James' Palace, Windsor Castle and the Tower of London with Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Richard Brent who said: "It was an experience of a lifetime. They returned from Afghanistan in January and after a period of leave began preparing for their ceremonial duties.
"This demonstrates the diversity of life in the Army and the flexibility of our soldiers. They will remember this period for a long time to come."