Bridie O'Donnell has won her own personal battle coming out top in her exams despite the drama of having her husband at war.
Mrs O'Donnell, 27, of Brompton-on-Swale, took night classes in English Language at Darlington College at Catterick, and studied for her PGCE teaching qualification at Durham.
In the middle of her courses her husband Jim, a colour sergeant in the army, was posted to Iraq with 1 Paratroop Regiment.
Not only did Mrs O'Donnell gain an A* in English language, but her marks were among the top five in the country.
She also secured her PGCE teaching qualification.
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