On Friday 12^th August, The Royal Gibraltar Regiment welcomed its newest officer into their ranks. After 44 weeks of intensive physical and academic studies, 2Lt Matthew Lewis took part in the Sovereign’s Parade passing out ceremony at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Surrey UK.

The Sovereign's Parade marks the passing out from Sandhurst of Officer Cadets who have completed the Commissioning Course and is the result of many hours of hard work. It is the grandest day in the Sandhurst calendar as friends, family and VIPs gather before Old College Square to watch the cadets take part in their final challenge. The parade traditionally ends with the Adjutant riding his horse up the steps of Old College as he follows the graduating Officer Cadets through the Grand Entrance.

After a formal lunch with friends, family and Regimental Officers, the day concludes in spectacular and celebratory fashion at the exclusive Commissioning Ball, where, at the stroke of midnight, the newly commissioned Second Lieutenants proudly display their rank insignia for the first time.

2Lt Lewis was supported by his proud family and they were joined by Lieutenant Colonel Ivor Lopez, Commanding Officer of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, as well as Major Julian Valverde and Captain John Pitto. The inspecting Officer for the parade on this occasion was General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, Deputy Supreme Commander Europe.

Born and raised in London, Matthew spent a number of years living in Spain in Aracena, Huelva. He returned to the UK and studied a Masters in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Liverpool before working in Engineering for a couple of years. Finding civilian life not quite up to the challenge, he decided to travel; teaching in Madrid, working on Farms and Hostels throughout Europe and finally living in Israel for three months before deciding to attempt the challenging Commissioning course.

He said: "Sandhurst is a busy year that I will never forget, especially boxing for the intake, adventure training in Corsica, Exercises in the UK and Germany and more than anything, the platoon of characters I trained with for 44 weeks. But even so, the real work starts now. I'm keen to learn the ins and outs of the job at the Infantry Battle School at Brecon for four months, including a final exercise in Belize, and I'm excited to get to Gibraltar and lead a platoon."

Matthew is a keen Boxer and also enjoys Snowboarding and other arduous adventure sports. He will now go to the Infantry Battle School in Brecon South Wales to complete the 16-week Platoon Commander’s Battle Course, which will equip him with all the knowledge and skills he requires before he assumes command of 1 Platoon, I Company in the New Year.

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