The Cornet's Party had been driven to the hallowed spot – where Hawick youths won the battle to capture their flag – after the traditional lunch, held this year at Mansfield Rugby Club.

And the 20-year-old, who looked resplendent when carrying out one of her main duties, admitted that she was overcome with emotion as she laid the floral wreath at the Lest We Forget Memorial.

"My heart was just about beating out of my chest I was so nervous," she said.

A large number of townsfolk had gathered to witness the historic occasion, and as the rest of the Big Eight looked on, the unique atmosphere which descends on Hornshole at this time of year filled the air.

Stacey was accompanied by the Right and Left-Hand Lasses and Acting Mother, all of whom were also immaculately dressed, as she stepped forward to pay her special tribute.

She went on: "It was very emotional and I really felt it, just like we did on Saturday night when the men paid their respects after leaving Denholm. It was as if even the horses sensed it too, because they went very quiet. There is a real atmosphere there and we all felt it."

And for Stacey it was an extra- special moment when the magnitude of her role in the time-honoured proceedings began to hit home.

She added: "It is such an important thing to lay the wreath and when I saw the Flag sitting there and I thought about what the callants did, at that point it just hit me, and the tears came.

"I was shaking like a leaf but it went well."