News
HRH presents Afghanistan campaign medals to soldiers from The Black Watch
20th January 2010
The Prince of Wales today thanked Black Watch soldiers for their "amazing contribution" as he presented them with Afghanistan campaign medals.
Around 500 members of the regiment received the awards in a ceremony at their base at Fort George, near Inverness.
The Prince, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Black Watch, also presented the families of three fallen soldiers with the Elizabeth Cross, which is given to the next of kin of those killed in conflicts.
The medals were given to the families of Sergeant Stuart "Gus" Millar and Corporal Tam Mason, who both died in Afghanistan, and Private Scott Kennedy, who was killed in Iraq in 2007.
The regiment returned in November from a seven-month tour of Afghanistan.
Dressed in desert combats in his role as Royal Colonel of the regiment, The Prince presented medals to around 150 soldiers while the others were presented by Lieutenant General Andrew Graham and Brigadier Mike Riddell-Webster.
The Prince was met by an honour guard in ceremonial dress when he arrived at Fort George.
The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland then led the troops, all dressed in desert combats, on to the parade ground.
The Prince was given a Royal Salute and a burst of the national anthem from the band before he handed out the medals.
Speaking after the ceremony, he joked: "I suspect it's only in this country that you could stand out on a freezing January day dressed in desert outfits."
He paid tribute to the courage of the soldiers and said: "The medal symbolises your individual contribution and raw courage.
"You have proved that the quality of the Scottish soldier remains constant. You are an immense credit to the British Army and to this country.
"I want to thank you for your amazing contribution. As I stand here I remember with immense pride and gratitude those of your comrades who never returned."
He also thanked the families and said he appreciated what they had gone through because he worried all the time when Prince Harry was in Afghanistan.
The regiment lost five soldiers in Afghanistan as well as a member of the Royal Artillery and three Afghan soldiers who were attached to them during the deployment.
Sgt Millar, 40, from Inverness, was killed with Private Kevin Elliott in an explosion last August.
His brother, Corporal Stephen Millar, 38, collected the Elizabeth Cross on behalf of "Gus's" wife, who did not feel up to attending.
He said: "It was very emotional getting the medal. I'm extremely proud of receiving it for what Stuart gave for his battalion and his country.
"For me the importance of this is it's something for his daughter Grace to have later in life to remember her dad, it's something personal just for Grace and her mother."
He said the family were still coming to terms with their loss and added: "It's still hurting quite badly, it is starting to hit home that he's not coming back.
"But he loved the army and he loved his job, that's why he used to volunteer all the time."
Sgt Millar's parents Margaret, 67, and Gus, 66, were also at the ceremony, along with his sister Heather, 43.
Heather said: "We're here on what is a great day for the other families but for us that special person is missing.
"When they go away you know there is a risk but when it actually happens it's unbelievable, it's devastating.
"But it is a lovely cross and it's lovely to have something that the family feel they can keep."
Sgt Millar's daughter is two and a half years old.
Corporal Mason, 27, from Rosyth, died in October after he was injured by an explosive device in Kandahar province. The others who died will receive Elizabeth Crosses in time.
Among the soldiers presented with medals by The Prince today was Private Kevin Kidd, 22, from Forfar, who survived an explosion last July which killed Bombardier Craig Hopson of the Royal Artillery.
They were travelling in the same vehicle and Pte Kidd escaped with an injured foot.
Pte Kidd said: "The Prince asked me how the tour was and if I was better after the explosion.
"It was a traumatic experience but before that the tour was challenging and pretty good. It felt good getting the medal."