Susan Lacey
I grew up in Glasgow and began my DofE at Bellarmine Sec. I had a tough time there as I joined two months after everyone else, moving from another deprived part of the city. With no spare money for a new uniform, I had to wear the uniform of my old school - you can imagine how hard that was for a shy, introverted girl with no friends.
As soon as I was eligible I started working towards my Bronze and that gave me a sense of identity and belonging that I never quite captured in other areas of school. I completed my Bronze and Silver Awards easily but, once I left school and started working full time, completing my Gold was difficult. Luckily, the upper age limit was extended and I finally completed it just after my 22nd birthday. By that time, I had decided to join the Women’s Royal Naval Service, and I am convinced that my DofE was one of the contributing factors to my acceptance.
I joined the WRNS in September 1979 and my invitation to receive my Gold Award at Holyrood Palace arrived - the date was just after my Passing Out Parade from HMS Dauntless, where I did my basic training. The WRNS was very accommodating and allowed me to travel to Edinburgh before going on to my Part 2 training. HRH Prince Philip recognized that I had obviously obtained my award prior to joining the WRNS as I wasn’t standing with other Service Personnel and made a comment to that effect.
Two years later, my DofE Award was instrumental in getting me through my Admiralty Interview Board to become a WRNS Officer. My biggest regret is that my DofE handbook was sent off as part of my submission and was never returned. Apart from the practical skills I learned during my DofE journey, it is the softer skills that have sculpted my life - persistence, resilience, tolerance, duty and service. When asked what I am most proud of achieving in my life, my answer is always “my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award”. It took me from schemes of Glasgow to senior management jobs in the US, Qatar and the UK.
As soon as I was eligible I started working towards my Bronze and that gave me a sense of identity and belonging that I never quite captured in other areas of school. I completed my Bronze and Silver Awards easily but, once I left school and started working full time, completing my Gold was difficult. Luckily, the upper age limit was extended and I finally completed it just after my 22nd birthday. By that time, I had decided to join the Women’s Royal Naval Service, and I am convinced that my DofE was one of the contributing factors to my acceptance.
I joined the WRNS in September 1979 and my invitation to receive my Gold Award at Holyrood Palace arrived - the date was just after my Passing Out Parade from HMS Dauntless, where I did my basic training. The WRNS was very accommodating and allowed me to travel to Edinburgh before going on to my Part 2 training. HRH Prince Philip recognized that I had obviously obtained my award prior to joining the WRNS as I wasn’t standing with other Service Personnel and made a comment to that effect.
Two years later, my DofE Award was instrumental in getting me through my Admiralty Interview Board to become a WRNS Officer. My biggest regret is that my DofE handbook was sent off as part of my submission and was never returned. Apart from the practical skills I learned during my DofE journey, it is the softer skills that have sculpted my life - persistence, resilience, tolerance, duty and service. When asked what I am most proud of achieving in my life, my answer is always “my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award”. It took me from schemes of Glasgow to senior management jobs in the US, Qatar and the UK.
