A GCSE student from Liskeard has vowed to join the Armed Forces in memory of a relative who was killed by roadside bomb while serving in the Army.
Joshua Worley also overcame the grief of losing his grandmother while studying for his exams.
The 16-year-old, of William Young Mews, couldn't decide whether he wanted to join the police or the Army but following the death of his mother's cousin, who was killed by a roadside bomb while serving in the British Army, the youngster set his mind on signing up as a military policeman.
And on Thursday he was among the hundreds of students celebrating his GCSE results at Liskeard School and Community College, and said he was delighted he had achieved the grades he required to go to college.
"I got the grades that I needed so I'm really happy with that," he said.
"I was so nervous," he added. I couldn't sleep at all last night."
After a difficult few months Joshua said his hard work had paid off and he hoped his grandmother, who died in June, would be proud.
"The day after my nan passed away I had my English literature exam," he explained.
"I did well in English and I know she would be proud of me for that."
The 16-year-old, who lives in Liskeard, said his grandmother had supported him during his studies and kept him on track.
"She told me off a couple of times because I didn't like certain subjects like French," he said.
"But it's nice to think that she was there looking over me making sure that I was doing all right."
The youngster is now looking forward to going to Duchy College to study for a BTEC in public services.
He said: "I'm going to study level-three public services. Hopefully after that I can join the military police."
"My mum's cousin was in the Army and he was killed by a roadside bomb. It's something I want to do to make her proud."
Joshua's mother Nicola Worley said she was a very proud parent.
"I'm a very proud mum indeed," she said.
"He has done so well this year.
"As well as losing his nan we lost a close family friend as well.
"He's had a tough time of it but he's coped remarkably well."
The mother of two said Joshua was an ambitious young man.
"I'm proud that he has got a vision of where he wants to go," she said.
"Both me and his dad are very proud of him and I know his nan would have been too."
