TWO brothers have inherited the honour of guarding the Queen from a soldier who grew up in their street.
Privates Craig and Daniel Fletcher will be among the Queen’s guards for the next four months.
They inherited the duty from their childhood friend, Private Michael Haeney, who has just completed the role.
The brothers’ duties will include the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony, watched by thousands of people every 48 hours.
In a break from tradition, the soldiers are all member of the Royal Logistics Corps, which assumed the honour while the traditional guards’ regiments are in Afghanistan.
The three men, who grew up in Wallasey and attended Oldershaw school, in Liscard, underwent 3½ months of intense training to ensure they were fit for the role.
They are all members of 22 Close Support Squadron.
Pte Daniel Fletcher, 21, a military driver, who has just returned from Afghanistan, said: “The transition from operational tour to public duties is immense.
“It is fantastic to be given this opportunity, though – not many people can say they have guarded the Queen.”
His brother, Craig, 22, also a driver, recently returned from Iraq with Pte Haeney, 22.
He said: “It is an achievement I never thought I would have, but I joined the Army for diversity.
“I joined as a driver and now I am doing a guard’s job.”
The pair agreed being brothers made Army life easier.
Craig, who previously worked as a security officer, said: “It is a lot more comforting being around family than on your own.
“We always wanted to be in the Army. Daniel joined first, even though I am the eldest.”
