Sydnee Thorne and Prince William Aug 2018 Credit ITN News 1

CCF Cadet joins royalty and politicians at Battle of Amiens centenary commemorations

Along with HRH Prince William and Prime Minister Theresa May, student Sydnee Thorne of the Duke of York’s Royal Military School read a verse from The Ode of Remembrance at the Battle of Amiens centenary commemorations in France.

The 13-year-old wore her Dover school’s blues military uniform for the ceremony at Amiens Cathedral on August 8 attended by 2,000 guests. She also presented Prince William with the wreath he laid at Allied Forces Chapel. The occasion was even more memorable for the teenager because as well as dignitaries from around the world, her father Warrant Officer Simon Thorne was a member of the event’s Guard of Honour.

The Battle of Amiens commemorations told the story of the conflict which began the end of WW1 with the period known as the Hundred Days offensive. More than 500 UK tanks were deployed alongside 1,900 British and French aircraft, some 2,000 Royal Artillery guns and 50,000 troops from six allied countries.

Simon Thorne, who has served more than 20 years with the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, said: “My wife Hayley and I are extremely proud of Sydnee for taking part in such an important occasion with royalty and dignitaries as well as the world’s press recording the ceremony. She performed her part with great honour, and to share the whole experience with Sydnee was incredible.”

Alex Foreman, the school’s Principal, said: “Sydnee is a superb ambassador for her generation and her contribution to the commemorations was very poignant as it’s important our young people continue to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Many of our students have family in the armed forces and, as a personal touch, wear the cap badge of their parents’ or family member’s Service, Corps or Regiment over their hearts – Sydnee proudly wore her father’s with pride.”

You can view the ITN News video: http://www.itv.com/news/2018-08-08/troops-who-won-decisive-first-world-war-battle-praised-100-years-on/