Afghanistan death soldier lived in Edinburgh

Published on Friday 6 November 2009 19:26

A British soldier who died in southern Afghanistan was remembered today as the "toughest of men and the gentlest of friends".

Serjeant Phillip Scott, 30, of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, was killed by an improvised explosive device near Sangin in Helmand Province yesterday morning.

He leaves behind his widow, Ellen, and children Ellie, three, and Michael, one.

Sjt Scott, who lived with his family in Edinburgh, deployed to Afghanistan in September alongside his brother Robin, also a serjeant in 3 Rifles.

Known as Scotty to his friends, the soldier was born in Malton, North Yorkshire, in 1979 and joined the Army in 2001.

He served in Iraq and Northern Ireland before being posted to the infantry training centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire, as an instructor for new recruits.

His comrades described him as a "natural soldier" whose upbringing as a gamekeeper's son in Yorkshire made him perfect for the role of reconnaissance.

Sjt Scott had hoped to join the Special Forces after his tour of Afghanistan, and his superior officers said this was "entirely within his abilities".

His wife said: "My husband was a very brave man, loved by all his family and a very dear husband and father."

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, commanding officer of 3 Rifles Battle Group, said he had lost one of his best junior commanders.

"Serjeant Scott was the most professional of soldiers, the toughest of men and the gentlest of friends," he said.

"Naturally charming and disarmingly polite, he was considerate and compassionate to his core.

"Uncompromisingly assiduous at work, he was an inspiration to all and a mentor to those he led in training and on the field of battle."

Colour Serjeant Paul Lucke, second-in-command of Recce Platoon, said Sjt Scott was a "soldier's soldier".

"A gap has appeared in the platoon that can never be filled. We have lost a good friend," he said.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth added: "I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Serjeant Phillip Scott, a soldier who had a glowing Army career behind him and an equally bright future ahead, until his life was cruelly cut short."