UK NEWS

HUNDREDS PAY TRIBUTE TO SCOTS HERO

Friday July 27,2007

By David Scott

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HUNDREDS of mourners yesterday packed into a local church for the funeral of a young soldier killed in Iraq.

Private Jamie Kerr, 20, was one of three soldiers who died last month when a roadside bomb went off in Basra while he was escorting convoys.

Many mourners at Trinity Parish Church in Cowdenbeath, Fife, in Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s constituency, were forced to stand at the back of the hall during the funeral service because of the large turnout.

The coffin, draped in a Union Flag, had earlier been carried into the church by members of the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, which Pte Kerr had been part of.

Rev Alex Forsyth told those present that Pte Kerr’s death was “tragic”.
He added: “You can see from the attendance this afternoon that Jamie was well respected and thought of in this community.

“Today is a day for remembering Jamie as a son and a soldier.”
The minister prompted some laughter among the tears of the mourners as he recalled how Jamie had “chased the lassies” in the town and even “caught some”.

He also recalled how his mother Pauline fondly remembered the 20-year-old’s “smile like a cheeky rogue that could light up a room”.

The soldier had kept in touch with friends and family while out in Iraq via his website and Mr Forsyth paid tribute to the soldier’s “inner strength and courage and commitment to his regiment and mates”.

He also called for reflection on our commitment to justice and seeking a peaceful resolution for the people of Iraq as well as a commitment to ensuring that UK foreign policy respects human dignity and human rights of others.

Further reflection on a commitment to ensuring that the armed services are properly funded and resourced were also flagged up by the minister.

Earlier, the adjutant of the Black Watch, Captain William Colquhoun, 30, had paid tribute to Pte Kerr.
“In January, when we were looking for volunteers for service deployment in Iraq, he was one of the first to come forward. That was testament to his character.

“He was someone who was full of energy, full of life and infectious in the way he approached his work.

“He had a bright future ahead of him in the Army and will be sadly missed.”

Pte Kerr had been serving with the Royal Welsh in Iraq, having been deployed in May.