The world watched as Prince Harry passed out of military college. KERRY ANN EUSTICE talks to an officer whose Sandhurst ceremony, 63 years ago, was just as special.

APRIL 12 marked Prince Harry's passing out ceremony as an officer from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.

Sixty-three years ago to the day, Alex Gilchrist passed out there too.

The 86-year-old former officer from Orpington was 23, two years older than Prince Harry.

The prince's passing out was a great occasion as there were many members of the royal family in attendance.

But Alex says his ceremony all those years ago was extra special as only 13 privates out of a possible 60 succeeded in becoming commissioned officers.

And his mother had travelled from Scotland just to watch.

Alex said: "When I saw Prince Harry on the TV I thought hang on, April 12 sounds familiar'. I was thrilled to see his ceremony.

"It was difficult to get commissioned to be an armoured guard at that time as it was during the Second World War."

He added: "It was a big day for us all. My relatives from Dundee all came down to see me at Sandhurst.

"It was just marvellous, the proudest day of my life.

"Only 13 picked from 60 shows we did very well.

"Everyone feared not passing out as this meant they would be returned to their units."

From the college Alex joined the 12th Lancers, a famous regiment based at El Alamein.

Alex was also a member of the 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry.

He said: "After we passed out it was straight into action, from Sandhurst into fighting, unlike today.

"I went into the Territorial Army in 1939 and didn't come out until 1946."

Prince Harry has become a cornet, also known as a 2nd lieutenant, in the Blues and Royals.

He will serve in an armoured reconnaissance unit and train to become a troop commander in charge of 11 men and four light tanks.

It is possible he will be sent to the front line, as Alex was. Harry could be sent to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Alex travelled all over Germany during the Second World War.

He also saw the concentration camp at Belsen where Anne Frank died from typhus which was discovered by British soldiers in 1945.

Alex has since been tracked down by the Imperial War Museum and his memories of battle have been taped for posterity.