Saluted for changing his lifestyle
A LLANELLI soldier who fought to change his life around to get into the ranks of the Army has been saluted for his efforts.
Corporal Ieuan Hudson, of 7 Aviation Support Battalion REME, was classed as being clinically obese when he saw an advert to join the military, and was told the physical toll of being with the forces would be too great. Instead of giving up on his dream he instead decided to change his lifestyle.
From not having any interest in sport and years of poor living he totally transformed his life and is serving after developing a passion for running and cycling in a drive to get fit.
He ended up winning the Best at Physical Training award on passing out with the Army.
In a citation to the awards, it revealed how Ieuan changed his life leading him to become the Sports Award Winner at the Armed Forces in Wales Awards.
It said: “Ieuan grew up with no interest in sport and years of poor living led him to being clinically obese.
“After seeing an advert to join the military he decided he wanted to change his lifestyle after being told the physical demands would be too great.
“He then got into running and cycling as a fight to get fit and persevered to the point of eventually winning the Best at Physical Training award on passing out with the Army.
“His potential as a triathlete was identified and he came the attention of the Army Youth Triathlon Team.”
It added: “With a strong desire to keep improving he became the British Army Triathlon Champion and represented his age group at the World Championships. The Army’s Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme is helping him develop for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and he also aspires to be a Paralympics guide for 2020.”
Success was also achieved by Second Lieutenant Kelly Williams, from Gorseinon, was the Youth and Cadet Award Winner, at the Armed Forces in Wales Awards, which was hosted at the St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff.
Kelly, of the Dyfed and Glamorgan Army Cadet Force, who has been involved with the Dyfed and Glamorgan ACF since 1995, won high praise for her achievement.
She said: “As a cadet she achieved the rank of Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major and Master Cadet.
“On top of this she also undertook duties as the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet in her final year.
“The moment she was eligible she became a Cadet Force Adult Instructor and fulfilled the role of Training and Administration Warrant Officer with B Company before going on as the Training Warrant Officer for G Company.
“Since then she has facilitated delivery of qualifications across the county and was commissioned in June, 2017. A senior operations manager within the University of Wales Trinity St David. Kelly also finds the time to raise a family of three, two of which have already joined the cadets.”
There were a total of 14 people nominated in the four award categories of Sports, Youth and Cadet, Covenant and the overall Armed Forces Award.
Special guests on the evening included Sam Warburton, former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain and Alun Davies AM, the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services.
Brigadier Alan Richmond, Commander 160th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Wales and head of the Army in Wales, said the evening was all about celebrating exceptional contribution and achievement.
He said: “Wales makes a significant contribution to UK Defence and punches well above its weight in providing recruits to all three Armed Services.
“It is a vital training base with the majority of the RAF’s fast jet training conducted at RAF Valley; is home to some of the UK’s most important defence companies, including Airbus, General Dynamics and Centerprise, who have been most generous is sponsoring this event, as has the Motivational Preparation College for Training.”