Mull funeral for Kandahar victim

Monday 29 June 2009

This News Item courtesy of: The BBC News

The Black Watch 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) Pte McLaren's funeral will be held in Bunessan The funeral of a Black Watch soldier who was killed in Afghanistan is to be held on Mull. Twenty-year-old Private Robert McLaren, from Kintra on Mull, died when an improvised explosive device detonated near Kandahar province. He had only been on active service with the 3rd Battalion of the Black Watch, The Royal Regiment of Scotland for four weeks when he was killed. The funeral is being held at Creich Church in Bunessan. His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright, said that from the moment Pte McLaren arrived in Afghanistan, "he threw his heart and body into everything he was asked to do". His family said they were proud of him and that he died doing a job he loved.

For more information click on or go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8123624.stm

By all accounts it was a large funeral, RIP. Robert.
nellie

‘It was like the heavens were crying’
The Oban Times
Published: 03 July, 2009

A ‘UNIQUE and courageous’ Mull soldier was laid to rest at Suie Cemetery, Bunessan this week – in one of the biggest funerals the island has seen.

An estimated 500 people spilled out of the small church at Creich. Mourners, young and old, were housed in two marquees, the village hall and still many more stood on the roadside and listened.

The funeral procession of Private Robert ‘Robbie’ McLaren arrived from Afghanistan on the early ferry from Oban on Monday morning as a fine mist of rain fell. ‘It was like the heavens were crying,’ an elderly Mull lady observed quietly.

The hearse and black cars wound their way through the island’s valleys and glens to bring this young Muileach back to his family at Kintra. The soldier was killed while trying to protect his friends in one of the most dangerous regions of Afghanistan.

Respects

The 20 year old was carried to the church where his mother and father, Alistair and Linda, were married. The couple and 18-year-old daughter, Lorna, were surrounded by family, friends, islanders and numerous military personnel. Argyll Bute MP Alan Reid paid his respects, as did Oban and the Isles acting police chief inspector Judy Wilson and councillors Mary-Jean Devon and Duncan MacIntyre.

The Rev Donald Prentice and Rev Roddy Campbell talked of the boy who attended Bunessan School and Oban High School, and how he tried his hand at being an electrician before setting out for the army where he was an outstanding recruit – a young man with ‘sparkle and humour’.

He was sent to Afghanistan in May. Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright said: ‘Private Robert McLaren was cruelly taken from us after only four weeks of active service in The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

‘Robert was a unique and courageous soldier. He displayed enormous physical courage during this battle for one so young.

‘He gave his life for his friends with selfless commitment. He was a brave Highland jock.’

In bright sunlight Robbie was further commended for his bravery, his friendship, his stamina, his laughter and his enthusiasm.

The young man was ‘wise beyond his years’ said his training officer Corporal Ross Bruce. ‘He was a hero.

‘Robbie joined the army to make a difference and in saving others he gave up his life for his friends – there is no greater sacrifice.’

Corporal Bruce added: ‘Robbie was a promising young soldier and a very popular member of the team.’

On the day Robbie died, the regiment had come across a handmade incendiary device that blew up in front of a few of his colleagues.

Robbie was moving forward to help his friends as a second blast went off, killing him. An inquiry into his death will be heard later this year.

Robbie would have celebrated his 21st birthday last Friday, June 26.


REST IN PEACE SOLDIER, WE WILL NEVER FORGET

Rest in Peace Robbie , Soldier , gentleman and Hero , You will not be forgotten


pat w anderson

Island memorial plan for ‘a hero’
The Oban Times
Published: 03 July, 2009

THE NAME of Private Robert McLaren may soon be added to the war memorial at Kintra – if moves by Ministry of Defence officials and the island community are approved.

The War Graves Commission has been approached to add the name of the fallen soldier to the simple memorial at Kintra.

Private McLaren is believed to be the first military death of a Muileach since the Second World War.

A MoD spokesman said: ‘We hope Robbie’s name can be added at Kintra. The family would pass the memorial every day. It is fitting that his name should be placed there.

‘He was an exceptional soldier and died thinking of others. He was called a ‘hero’ at the service today and we do not use that term lightly.

‘We have approached the War Graves Commission and hope that that we will be allowed to put up a plaque on the memorial, underneath the names of those who died in the First and Second World Wars, as soon as possible.’

Mull councillor Mary-Jean Devon said: ‘The Kintra memorial would be a fitting place to see a lasting tribute for Robbie.

‘He was a good young man who died to protect others. He was well loved and respected by many. There were so many of his young friends from Mull and beyond who came to the funeral; I’m sure they would back the plan.’

The island’s community spirit was seen at its strongest for the funeral. Many people brought pots of soups, sandwiches and cakes to share at the wake held in Creich village hall.

There was unanimous agreement with the MoD plans to lay a plaque on the Kintra war memorial. ‘It would be a fitting tribute to our boy who has been so sadly taken from us,’ said one man. Another said: ‘The family and community would have a place to remember Robbie alongside his forefathers who also died in military action.’

Argyll and Bute Council is looking into having the plaque fitted.

Rangers Football Club sent a wreath of condolence to the family in celebration of the life of the ‘Rangers fanatic’.

Robbie’s former Oban High football team which won the Scottish Schools Cup for two years, attended the funeral en masse to pay tribute to their former teammate.

Al
Thanks for posting that article.
The Kintra memorial would be a fitting place to see a lasting tribute for Robbie.

Joe

it certainly will Joe,
nellie