THE largest military graduation parade in Europe – held in Harrogate – will be the last inspected by The Head of the Army while he is in post.

General Sir Peter Wall will inspect more than 540 junior soldiers and staff from the Army Foundation College at Uniacke Barracks in front of 4,000 of their relatives and friends.

The 17-year-old students on the parade are from two intakes which joined the college in Penny Pot Lane in September last year and March this year.

The parade is only exceeded in size by the Trooping of the Colour held in London.

General Wall is finishing as Chief of the General Staff in September and the graduation parade at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate will be the last at which he will be an inspecting officer in his role.

General Wall will inspect the junior soldiers from all over the UK and take the salute when they graduate from the college watched by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Oz Lane and members of his staff. The four companies from the college will march onto the parade square led by the Band of the Royal Armoured Corps.

Following the inspection and salute, prizes will be awarded to the best recruits.