Lance Corporal Katrina Hodge, 21, a Military Clerk with The Adjutant General Corps, is currently serving at Frimley Park Hospital.
LCpl Hodge won the title of Miss Tunbridge Wells after a friend secretly entered her picture in the hometown heats of the high-profile pageant. She will now compete for the Miss England title at the Grand Final in London on Friday 18 July 2008.
Speaking about her selection for the Miss England final and how it contrasts with her role as a soldier, LCpl Hodge said:
"I am delighted to have been selected for the Miss England final and it is a great honour. Being a part-time model and a serving soldier is certainly a world apart.
"I want to use this competition to highlight the work that the army are doing and what they have done for this country."
In 2005 LCpl Hodge deployed to Iraq with 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment. It was during this tour that the part-time model received a commendation for bravery.
Trained as a female searcher, LCpl Hodge was on an operation in Basra when her patrol detected a suspected insurgent. On leaving the area the vehicle Katrina was travelling in was involved in an accident and the vehicle flipped over. The detainee used the opportunity to grab two rifles and threaten the soldiers.
"Being a part time model and a serving soldier is certainly a world apart."
Lance Corporal Katrina Hodge
LCpl Hodge described what happened next:
"I was in complete shock at first, the force of the accident caused our vehicle to roll over three times and threw us off guard.
"As I came round, the Iraqi suspect was standing over us with the rifles. I knew if I didn't act fast then our lives would be in danger. I punched him and the force startled him enough for me to retrieve the rifles from him."
LCpl Hodge's actions in that split second saved the lives of those travelling in her vehicle.
The winner of Miss England will go on to represent England at Miss World 2008. See Related Links>>> to find out more.