I made him proud says girl, 17, who lost brother to war

The sister of one of the youngest soldiers to be killed in Afghanistan spoke of her pride today as she graduated from an Army college.

Emma Ford, 17, had her graduation parade at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The junior soldier, whose 18-year-old brother Ben died in an explosion last September, said: "This is what I wanted to do. I wanted to make my brother proud and that's what I have done."

Asked how hard the course had been, she added: "Physically not that bad, but emotionally a bit difficult."

Emma was watched by her parents Jane and Trevor from Chesterfield. Mrs Ford said thoughts of Ben were at the back of their minds, but added: "It was Emma's day today. We are so proud. She has been an absolute star through all of it. She looked so good."

Asked how she would feel if her daughter were sent to the frontline, Mrs Ford said: "It is her career. If she was a postman I wouldn't say don't go near that dog as it might bite you."

Another of the 600 junior soldiers to take part in the rain-drenched ceremony was the son of actor and former footballer Vinnie Jones. Aaron Ellison-Jones will now join the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals - the regiment Prince Harry joined on his graduation from Sandhurst. His father said the Army had "made a man" of his son.