Hamish McAllister, Northumberland House

An army cadet’s career campaign marched a step closer yesterday after capturing the grades he needed for university.

Hamish McAllister, Barney CCF’s regimental sergeant major, secured a place at Oxford Brookes University to read psychology – his fallback plan to a successful career in the Army.

But the18-year-old still has his eyes set on Sandhurst to become an officer in the Household Cavalry pursuing a family passion for the military services that stretches back five generations.

“I’m hoping to hear by September whether my application has been successful and I can go to Sandhurst,” said Hamish, the son of a retired colonel in the Royal Army Medical Corp and nurse in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps.

“The school’s CCF has been amazing offering me the chance as RSM to gain leadership experience and develop the values and skills required by the armed forces.

“Being appointed one of three Lord Lieutenant’s cadets at school and also being made a master cadet was also a great privilege that will stand me in good stead for the future.”