Kylie sees Military honoured in Carrickfergus

Kylie was awarded the Military Cross earlier this year for courage under fire when serving in Afghanistan.

The 24-year-old Acting Lance Corporal with the Royal Army Medical Corps is only the fourth woman to receive the honour.

According to the Ministry of Defence, L/Cpl Watson put herself in “mortal danger” to give medical aid to wounded soldiers while under heavy Taliban fire.

The 24-year-old said she was apprehensive before heading to Afghanistan: “Before I went I was quite nervous,” she said.

“But you don’t think about it as being dangerous, it’s just your job. You do it, come back, get your medal and go back to normal. Everyone’s very brave.”

Kylie watched on Saturday as members of the Armed Forces paraded through Carrickfergus. Onlookers were also treated to an RAF Tornado flypast in the afternoon.

North Antrim UUP MLA Robin Swann congratulated those who organised, participated and watched Armed Forces Day events, making the occasion a “stunning success”.

Mr Swann added: ““Armed Forces Day is especially poignant because it once again reminds us of the sterling work which our forces are doing, not just here in Northern Ireland against the increasing terrorist threat, but on a global sphere where many of our Armed Forces are serving.”

“And equally significantly, it should remind us to keep in our thoughts and prayers the families of those serving in these various military spheres of operations, as well as those who have been wounded in operations, and the families who have lost loved ones serving their country, not just in present conflicts but in the past Troubles.

“I also congratulate the organisers of military memorabilia across our North Antrim constituency and encourage them to host as many of these events as possible.” said Assemblyman Swann.