By Joe  McCabe

EMYVALE’S  Pte Matthew Gibbons, 21,   has been awarded the prestigious title of ‘ Best Soldier’ from among 44 recruits drawn from all over Ireland in Monaghan Military barracks. Pte. Gibbons, 21,  is attached to  the 44th Recruit Platoon 27th Infantry Battallion. He was chosen for the award from a total of 44 recruits at their  passing out parade  after seven gruelling months of intensive training. Pte  James Kane, 18,  also from Emyvale, is another member of the newly passed out platoon. 

The Army Number 1 Band provided a musical backdrop to the occasion. General Officer Commanding  Eastern Brigade , Brigadier General,  Denis Murphy,  took the salute  escorted by the Commanding Officer  of 27th Inf Btn, Lt. Col Michael Murphy. Present for the passing out parade were a great many family members and friends of the newly qualified soldiers.

Pte Gibbons told the Post that he had been thrilled to have been named as Best Soldier. “This means alot to me.  The training has been mentally and physically hard for all of us and we have had to delete other things from our lives to get on with it. As a career soldier I am going to give it my best shot!”  Pte Kane added: “It was a long seven months training and I hope now that I can do my best for my comrades and my country.”