Ex-Barnham schoolboy wins green beret

Karl successfully finished his training to become a Royal Marine.

His mum, Brenda Rogers, has described his passing out parade at Lympstone in Devon as one of the proudest moments of her life.

"I was very proud of him," she said. "He had his ups and downs along the way but it was lovely to see him there. Every time I watch the DVD of the ceremony I burst into tears."

Karl (19) went straight on to a seven-week truck driving course after his training to give himself a skill before he starts his operational duties.

They could well take him into front-line duties in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"He can't wait to get involved," Brenda explained. "He regards it as his job and something that he has to do. That's how I have got to look at it as well and I'm proud he wants to do that."

Karl grew up in Barnham, firstly in Market Square and then in Garden Crescent. He went to Barnham Primary School and on to Westergate Community School. From there, he completed a two-year public service course at Chichester College.

He joined the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts in Barnham and became an air cadet at Littlehampton for four years from the age of 13, rising to the rank of sergeant.

This prepared him for a life in uniform. His next stop was the Marines for nearly a year of training before he earned the right to wear the coveted green beret. It included a 30-mile run with a pack on his back, a 90-mile speed march and assault courses.

Brenda (46) explained: "He wanted to be a marine because he wanted to be the best of all the armed forces. It was a real challenge to him and he thought the bigger the challenge the better it would be for him."

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