Nephew of Scunthorpe Victoria Cross hero Bryan Budd proud to join Army ranks
The nephew of Corporal Bryan Budd VC, the Scunthorpe solider killed in Afghanistan, has passed out from a military college.
Cory Budd, 17, also of Scunthorpe, and 610 other junior soldiers passed out in front of crowds on the parade square of Army Foundation College, Harrogate.
Corporal Budd, who was killed in Afghanistan in August 2006, was later awarded the Victoria Cross. He also served as an instructor at AFC Harrogate.
Cory said: "When my uncle died it hit me really hard. But when he got the Victoria Cross I was so proud.
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"To know someone in my family has obtained the highest medal is amazing.
"I would like to follow in my uncle's footsteps and do a tour myself to see what he went through.
"His death has not put me off, I am just proud to have known such a great soldier."
Cory's father Stephen is also currently serving as a warrant officer with the Army and was an instructor at the college in 1999. Cory hopes to follow in his father's, great grandfather's and great uncle's footsteps by joining the Royal Artillery after completing phase two training at the Artillery Training Centre based in Larkhill, Wiltshire.
Cory said: "Most of my family have connections with the army so it is something that has always interested me.
"There are not a lot of opportunities for young people at the moment so I thought I would join the army as soon as possible to get a head start.
"At Harrogate, we worked on personal leadership, teamwork and command tasks.
"People think it's about learning orders but it's much more than that, it's about understanding orders, being a leader and learning why we are in places like Afghanistan.
"I have no regrets in joining and would recommend it to anyone."
In Cory's 42 weeks of training he has travelled to London and Italy to complete an adventurous programme of training that has included skiing, caving and kayaking.
As well as this, he has undertaken basic field craft in order to give him the skills he needs later in his career.
His father Stephen Budd said: "It's a great feeling to know that he has a promising career ahead of him.
"I am a little envious as I have served for 20 years and am due to retire in 2014.
"Both my wife and I felt extremely proud watching him."
Corporal Budd, 29, became the 20th British soldier to be killed when he was shot dead by Taliban insurgents during a gunfight in August 2006.
The former Melior College student, who served in the Army for 10 years with 3 Para Regiment, died while saving seven comrades by single-handedly storming a Taliban position in Helmand Province.
He was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry.
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