Former pupil top of the class in Royal Marine Band training

Former Royal Hospital School Music Scholar, Craig Saunders, was one of 21 marines, who have been studying for three years at the Portsmouth-based Royal Marines School of Music. This summer they completed their training and marked the occasion with a concert and Beating Retreat ceremony at Portsmouth’s Guildhall Square watched by hundreds.

Sanders, 19, was presented with the prestigious Prince's Badge by Vice-Admiral David Steel, the Second Sea Lord, marking him as the best all-rounder to complete training.

He said, "I was very excited its brilliant to receive it. I really enjoyed my training. It was hard but worthwhile and getting to end of it and moving on now is great."