TWO cadets from Suffolk have been presented with top awards at the Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.The Sword of Honour, awarded to the best cadet on the course, has been won by Junior Under Officer Robert Sledmore, 25, from Woodbridge.

TWO cadets from Suffolk have been presented with top awards at the Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

The Sword of Honour, awarded to the best cadet on the course, has been won by Junior Under Officer Robert Sledmore, 25, from Woodbridge.

Before joining the Army Robert was educated at Woodbridge School and Edinburgh University where he graduated in Forestry.

While at Sandhurst he represented the Academy at rugby and cricket.

Robert said of his time at Sandhurst: "Looking back it was enjoyable, especially the friends you make, friends who will probably stay with you for life. The first few weeks were very hard but that all seems a long time ago now."

Robert is being commissioned into the Light Dragoons, currently stationed at Swanton Morley in Norfolk.

The other major award at the Sovereign's Parade is the Queen's Medal, awarded to the cadet who achieves the highest scores in military, practical and academic studies.

This year's winner is Officer Cadet William Bancroft, 24, from Ipswich.

After attending Ipswich School, William studied Industrial Economics at Nottingham

University and, during his Gap Year, he spent time as a cowboy in Wyoming and as a crocodile farmer in Zambia!

He is now to be commissioned into the King's Royal Hussars who will shortly begin a six month tour of duty in Kosovo.

" I knew I'd done quite well on the academic aspects of the course," said William, "But, until the awards were announced last week, I had no idea I was even in the running for the medal. It came as a complete surprise to me".

There were 697 Officer Cadets on the parade, taken by HRH The Duke of York. Of these 145 cadets will receive their commissions.