Droitwich soldier raising flags at Commonwealth Games 2022

Corporal Samuel Whelan, 25, is part of a team of ceremonial flag raisers who will be attending almost 300 medal ceremonies taking place during the Birmingham games.

A recovery mechanic with 3 Armoured Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Corporal Whelan has been raising the flags of the gold, silver and bronze medal-winning athletes’ countries at the Alexander Stadium.

He is also a physical training instructor, responsible for maintaining and developing the physical fitness of the soldiers in the Battalion.

Speaking before the Commonwealth Games began, he said: “I’ve always enjoyed sport. My grandad was a PTI in the RAF and one of the founders of the Droitwich Athletics Club.

“I will be soaking up the atmosphere and just enjoy being a part of the Games.”

Corporal Whelan has been raising flags during the medal ceremonies at the Alexander Stadium

The ceremonial flag-raisers are made up of 67 Army personnel, 36 members of the Royal Air Force and 35 from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

They trained for the honour at Nesscliffe training camp in the West Midlands, completing a refresher training in basic drill and the art of ceremonial flag-raising.

The training led by the Army School of Ceremonial also included rigorous dress inspections to ensure their appearance and bearing is of the highest standard when they march out in full view of an international audience.

The team of flag-raisers received training prior to the Games

Colour Sergeant Lee Blackstock was one of the team from the All-Arms Drill Wing who delivered the training and also directed the rehearsals of the drill manoeuvres for the funeral of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

He said: “There is an enormous sense of pride amongst the personnel taking part.

“I’m happy they are all at the required standard and I will be watching them with pride when they are on TV.”

The Army has four soldiers representing their countries at the Games.

Lance Corporal Megan Reid representing Scotland in the women’s boxing, Corporal Sarah Hawkins and Lance Corporal Victor Ahiavor representing Northern Ireland and Ghana in the judo respectively, while Corporal Arnold Rogers has ran the marathon on behalf of Gibraltar .