THE teenager who walked  out though the gates of Exeter’s St James’ High School  for the last time had just one  aim in life.

Martyn Griffiths wanted to  be a soldier.

 The son of Tony and Valerie from Whipton — who  now live at Dawlish —  he was  only 16, but his mind was  made up.

And, 27 years and 10  months later, his ambition,  determination and skills,  have been royally recognised  with an MBE.

Capt Griffiths, who rose  through the ranks from boy  soldier to captain, attended  Buckingham Palace to receive his Queen’s Birthday  honour from the Prince of  Wales.

Capt Griffiths, 44, who  lives with his wife Stephanie  at Wyvern Park, Wonford,  said: “I have to say I was  mega-chuffed. It was a wonderful day with my wife and  parents.

“When you get promoted it  is a wonderful feeling, but  this has to beat them all.”

Although Capt Griffiths  has seen service around the  world with the Devonshire  and Dorsets and, more recently the  1st Rifles, it was for  work closer to home that  brought him his award.

He was welfare officer with  the D&Ds and The Rifles  when they and the Royal  Gloucestershire, Berkshire  and Wiltshire Regiment   moved to Chepstow Barracks  just across the Severn  Bridge. Capt Griffiths said:  “It was a massive job. The  upheavals the families faced  were enormous and for two  years I just lived off my mobile phone dealing with all  manner of problems, 24  hours a day. I don’t think I  slept for those two years.

“I  established youth clubs,  a creche  — that was really  hard work  — and I also got  money from the Nuffield  Trust to set up play parks.

“It was very satisfying, but  non-stop.

 “I have to say I didn’t enjoy  it that much, but it is wonderful be recognised for doing it.”

Now Captain Griffiths is  commanding officer of the   Army’s 20 Cadet Training  Team which trains adult  civilians to look after  cadets.

Earlier this summer he led  the team which kayaked,  climbed and cycled as part of  a five-day challenge that  raised thousands of pounds  for service charities.

 The Triple Challenge was  made up of three punishing  events: a 19-mile white water  kayak down the River Exe; a  24-hour race to climb Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben  Nevis; and a four-day,  900-mile cycle relay ride from  John o’Groats to Land’s  End.

 The team raised well over  £7,000 to support Help for  Heroes and the Army Benevolent Fund.

When Regimental  Sergeant Major — the last  with the Devonshire and  Dorsets before it became The  Rifles — Capt Griffiths sailed  aboard HMS Exeter.

 The same year he marched  down the Champs-Elysées in  Paris with a seven-man team  to   represent the British  forces in France’s VE Day  celebrations

 He  also spent eight years  serving in Northern Ireland,  saw active service in Bosnia,  and served in Kenya, the  United States and Berlin,  during the Cold War.