Trooper Wallis on ceremonial duties (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Trooper Wallis on ceremonial duties

9:00pm Wednesday 10th December 2008 in Chard

A CHARD man who is forging a successful career in the military played a part in the ceremonial duties surrounding last week’s State Opening of Parliament.

Trooper Tom Wallis is serving with the Life Guards and completed a 14-week horse riding course which has now seen him take part in mounted ceremonial duties around London – including last week’s colourful event which saw all elements of the Household Division and other sections of the Armed Forces, line the streets and escort the Queen’s procession from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords.

Tom initially attended the 14-week phase one training course at the Army Training Regiment at Pirbright before joining the Life Guards.

“Day to day life is demanding with us having to get up at 5.30am and often not finishing cleaning horse kit until 9pm,” he said.

“It takes a lot of determination and self discipline to carry out state ceremonial duties.”

But it is not all work for Tom as he is looking to play at scrum-half in the regimental rugby team for the annual fixture with the Household Cavalry Armoured Regiment based in Windsor.

Tom recently picked up a silver medal in the Army junior cross-country championships at Aldershot and he is now looking to join the Household Cavalry Musical Ride, a mounted display team, before going on to serve with the Armoured Regiment.