Having crossed paths at QEH and shared a memorable Geography trip to Morocco in 2015, the Henry and Matt were unexpectedly reunited in September 2023 when they found themselves in the same platoon at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.  

After commissioning in August 2024, they are now undertaking their young officer's course —also known as phase two training—and are now just months away from taking command in their new roles. 

We spoke to Henry to find out more about their story: 

When were you at QEH?  

I attended QEH from 2012 to 2017, leaving at 16—and funnily enough, I haven’t been back since! Matt was there from 2013 to 2018.  

We first met on the 2015 Geography trip to Morocco when I was in Year 9. After that, we lost touch for about five or six years until we unexpectedly crossed paths again during training. 

Why did you want to join the military? 

I can’t speak for Matt, but for me, the desire for adventure and the challenge of pushing myself were key motivators.  

I also wanted to meet people from diverse backgrounds. The individuals I’ve encountered have been incredible, and it’s been rewarding to forge such strong bonds with them as we navigate both the highs and lows of our journey together. I've met people from all over the country from very different backgrounds that I might never have crossed paths otherwise. 

So far, we’ve completed some training exercises in France and Germany at a NATO base, but I’m especially excited about the travel opportunities that await me as my career progresses. 

What is a highlight of your training?  

Our platoon was awarded the Sovereign’s Banner after completing a challenging 44-week course. The competition evaluated us on various events, including academics, sports, military skills, and physical endurance. 

 Receiving this honour is a tremendous achievement, as it signifies that we are the best platoon out of our intake of 250 cadets. Recently, we even received letters of congratulations from the King, which made the accomplishment even more special. 
 
 

Did your time at QEH influence your passion for adventure? 

I feel incredibly fortunate for the experiences I had at QEH. My time there inspired me to embrace every opportunity, a principle I carry with me to this day. It instilled in me the confidence to try new things and to be myself. 

Interestingly, I wasn’t a fan of the outdoors during my school years and didn't participate in activities like the Duke of Edinburgh or Ten Tors. However, I've grown to love the outdoors now – it's part of my job!  

A huge thank you to Henry and Matt for sharing their story and where they are now.  

If you’d like to share your updates, please get in touch by email apurvis@qehbristol.co.uk