A FORMER British Army commander has spoken of the Queen’s commitment to and admiration of the armed forces during her 70-year reign as monarch.

Colonel Richard Kemp CBE is the chairman of the Old Colcestrian Society, the alumni organisation associated with Colchester Royal Grammar School.

He spent seven years at the school in Colchester before subsequently serving in the British Army for 30 years.

Col Kemp was part of the Royal Anglian Regiment and led operations in Afghanistan in 2003.

Colonel Kemp paid tribute to the Queen’s boundless sense of duty to her country during a lifetime that spanned the Second World War and two major conflicts in the Middle East.

He wrote: “In the early years of her reign, the Queen said in a speech: 'I cannot lead you into battle' – perhaps not in person, but nevertheless her stoicism, fortitude, loyalty and unstinting sense of duty provided an unparalleled and constant source of inspiration for all who fought for this country over the last seventy years.

“I met her several times myself and her admiration and affection for her soldiers, sailors and airmen was beyond doubt.

"Her private comments on those occasions revealed a deep and unique insight into the actions and accomplishments of the armed forces as well as real concern for the challenges faced by her troops and their families.

“Just as I know that the Queen was saddened by the death of every soldier killed fighting for our country, the sad loss of their Commander-in-Chief will be keenly felt by all members of her armed forces, past and present.”