Ex Cadet achieves highest ever score for a female in Army Shooting Competition

A SERVICEWOMAN from Walney has achieved the highest score ever recorded by a female in the Army Operational Shooting Competition.

Rebecca, who has served in Germany and Iraq, explained she has always been interested in shooting and entered the competition for the first time last year.

Rebecca said: "The competition is a culmination of shooting scores and the top 100 are given places.

"Last year I only reached 99th place but this year I was placed 24, which is the highest score ever achieved by a woman since the competition began in the 1800s."

Last year Rebecca received the Army 100 medal for entering the competition, and every year she enters she will be given a date bar to add to the medal.

The 25-year-old is also eligible to wear the Army 100 badge on her uniform.

Ron White was Rebecca's detatchment commander when she served as a cadet, and gave Rebecca her first shooting lesson.

He said: "I was so proud to see an ex-Walney cadet doing so well in such a prestigious competition, and at the end of the week she achieved the highest score ever for a female."

The former Walney School pupil has since been offered a place in the Women's British Army Shooting Team, and next month she hopes to travel to Italy to compete against the Italian team.

Rebecca believes joining the cadets can be a rewarding experience for all young people, even if they do not plan to join the Army full time.

She said: "If it wasn't for Ron I'm sure I would be doing something a lot less rewarding, and joining the cadets is a good way to occupy yourself and gain valuable training."

Rebecca's mum Sheila, who lives on Moor Town Lane, Walney, said she was immensely proud of her daughter.

She said: "It's a fantastic thing for her to be the top girl and we're all so proud."

Amy Fenton, North West Evening Mail

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