THE proud dad of a double award-winning army doctor who survived ovarian cancer and has represented Great Britain in cycling says the day he failed to stop his daughter joining the army was “the best day of her life”.

Captain Elizabeth ‘Ejay’ Harris, 31, is a woman of many talents. Having decided to join the army at 15, her dad Jim Harris, now 60, tried to discourage her against it.

But defying his advice, she sought a career in the army, leading her to become a doctor and juggling her medical duties with competitive cycling, which has seen her win The Army Sportswoman on the Year and The Armed Forces Sportswoman of the Year Award in quick succession.

And she did all this while fighting and beating ovarian cancer, with her racing is going from strength to strength.

Jim hopes to encourage more women and young people to look for a career in the army, as army jobs “are endless”.

Jim, from Eccleston, said: “When Ejay was 15 I was adamant that she did not join the Territorial Army and now I’m so glad she didn’t listen to me – in fact the day she didn’t listen is probably the best day of her life.

“She’s gone on to pass out twice at Sandhurst, was funded by the army into studying medicine and is now Captain Harris and a doctor in the army.

“While in the army she started road cycling and after recovering from ovarian cancer went on to represent GB were she had great success.

“I’m understandably a very proud father but I dread to think if she had listened to me all those years ago and not done everything that has enriched her life.

“I am hoping that by sharing her story others out there will not think as I did about the army and realise that the roles within the army are endless. Stopping children and young women having this opportunity which could enrich their lives would be a disaster.”

Ejay is currently a road cyclist racing for Storey Racing.