Black Watch to hold memorial service in Perth

Nov 6 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

AN EMOTIONAL service will take place in Perth this afternoon as friends and relatives pay tribute to loved ones who gave their lives while serving with The Black Watch in Afghanistan.

The Rev. Alex Forsyth will preside over the sombre ceremony, to be held from 2.15pm at Balhousie Castle.

Five of the brave soldiers on tour with the 3rd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland (3SCOTS) were killed in action during their time in the Middle East, with a further 31 wounded.

Major Ronnie Proctor, curator of The Black Watch’s Fair City regimental museum, said today will give the historic regiment the chance to pay their respects.

“With the families of the 3SCOTS soldiers who died attending, this gives us the chance to show how much we value the sacrifices that their loved ones made.”

Some 430 military personnel from 3SCOTS returned from Kandahar this week, ending a seven-month tour in the country. The last will arrive in Edinburgh tomorrow afternoon.

Major Proctor added: “It will be an emotional day but it’s important we do something because of 3SCOTS returning home recently.

“And, with the wider remembrance ceremonies happening across the region at this time of year, it will be an important reminder for the wider public as well,” he said.

l The funeral of the latest Black Watch victim, Cpl. Tam Mason (27), took place in Cowdenbeath yesterday.