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Born: 7 January 1987.

Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay MacDuff, Commanding Officer of the Black Watch Battalion, said: “Private Scott Kennedy (20 years old), known to everyone as “Casper”, was a quiet, self effacing, but engaging and intelligent young man. He attended an Army Preparation Course in Glenrothes where he was the top student on his course, before enlisting in Dunfermline in September 2004. On his preparation course he was particularly noted for his fitness and aptitude for military service.”

“Private Kennedy was from Oakley in Fife; he had always wanted to be a soldier since his school days. He joined his local Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), in March 2005 in Warminster". Private Kennedy settled into the Battalion very quickly showing his natural technical ability by passing a regular radio user course almost immediately. He moved into D Company, the OPFOR Company of the Land Warfare Centre Battlegroup as a rifleman. “During pre-deployment training for Northern Ireland he demonstrated his development into a dependable and hard working team player who contributed much, particularly during Public Order training.

He was soon recognised as being one of the senior jocks within his Platoon. He moved to Northern Ireland with the Battalion in December 2005 and then moved to the Anti Tank Platoon, C (Support) Company in April 2006, which was the natural progression for a capable soldier developing his specialist skills within the Battalion.” “He deployed to Bessbrook Mill in South Armagh where he worked as the senior private soldier in his team on patrolling operations with the Police Service of Northern Ireland. He was one of the first to volunteer to deploy to Iraq with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh and he was clearly keen to expand his soldiering skills on operations.” “Although young, Private Kennedy was already an experienced and capable soldier who will be deeply missed by all those who served with him. At this difficult time all our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Major Anthony Fraser, Private Kennedy’s Company Commander, said: “Private “Casper” Kennedy was one of those soldiers whose company was a pleasure. He was polite, witty, intelligent and unusually well-read on certain subjects that interested him. He loved kung-fu movies, was teaching himself Japanese, and had an extraordinary depth of knowledge about foreign weapon systems. When he moved into the Anti Tank Platoon he picked up the skill of Armoured Fighting Vehicle Recognition at astonishing speed, turning himself into an instant expert. Although Private Kennedy tended to be quiet and even a little bashful around the chain of command, there was no hiding that he was a real character in his platoon, with no hint of shyness in the company of his peers. He was a young man, with real technical skills, and the intelligence to go far in whatever he chose to do. He will be sorely missed by all of us lucky enough to have served with him.”

Captain Chris Baddeley, Private Kennedy’s Platoon Commander in the Anti-Tanks, who lead an adventure training expedition to South Africa, in which he took part, said: “Private Kennedy was one of the leading lights of a really demanding, but fun, expedition. He threw himself to the fore whatever we were doing, whether it was trekking in the bush, shark diving in Cape Town, or walking in the Drackensberg Mountains. But where he really stamped his mark on the expedition was with his constant desire to engage with everyone in deep and knowledgeable discussions. Many evenings ended sitting around a campfire deep in the bush, with lively discussions raging until the small hours – and “Casper” Kennedy could be guaranteed to be one of the last to bring the chat to a close.”

Lieutenant David Boulter, Private Kennedy’s Platoon Commander in D Company, said: “Known to everyone in the Platoon as “Casper”, Private Kennedy was a pleasure to serve with. He had a keen sense of humour and enjoyed making other people laugh whatever the circumstances. A very popular, capable and loyal member of the Platoon, he will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.”

Private Andrew Young, who served with Private Kennedy in D Company and C (Support) Company, said: “Casper was pure morale. Whatever you threw at him, you couldn’t break him. He always had a smile on his face, gave 100% and would never give up. He’d try anything once.” Private Shaen Galloway, who was at College with Private Kennedy, and then served with him in C (Support) Company, said: “He always had something to say for himself. He liked to take the mickey out of everyone around him. He was quite quiet when he was at College, but the Army seemed to bring out his true colours.”

PRIVATE JAMIE KERR – THE BLACK WATCH, 3RD BATTALION THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND

Born: on 10 May 1987

Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay MacDuff, Commanding Officer of the Black Watch Battalion, said: “Private Jamie Kerr, aged 20, was a lively, engaging and steadfast young Jock who was always ready with a cheery comment regardless of the circumstances he found himself in. He was born in Cowdenbeath and he joined the Army in July 2005 in Dunfermline soon after his eighteenth Birthday. He trained at Catterick and joined the 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) at Palace Barracks in Northern Ireland in February 2006.” “Within a month of joining the Battalion, he had completed his Northern Ireland Reinforcement Training and found himself deployed to Crossmaglen in South Armagh for a month’s deployment in support of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. He fitted in very quickly to his Platoon. He was a vociferous Celtic supporter and a live wire character who made his mark as an effective and enthusiastic team member immediately. This was a reputation that he reinforced during the Public Order training for the 2006 Marching Season establishing himself as a keen and aggressive soldier.”

“Private Kerr had strong family ties and his mother and sisters were very important figures in his life. He lived life to the full and he was one of those characters who generated humour in those around him and who had a clear enjoyment and passion for his job and for the people with whom he served.” “He was a ready volunteer when the opportunity to deploy on operations to Iraq with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh arose.” “Private Jamie Kerr was a young soldier with a bright future ahead of him. He will be sorely missed by all members of the Battalion and his family are in our thoughts at this most difficult of times.” Major Anthony Fraser, Private Kerr’s Company Commander from the time that he joined the Battalion, until he deployed to Iraq, said: “Private Kerr was one of those characters pivotal to any team – however bad a situation, he would be the one laughing it off, and raising the spirits of those around him through his wit and often self-effacing humour.

Private Kerr was a strong character and a man with real potential for a bright career. He was energetic, enthusiastic and could be guaranteed to throw himself into whatever task was at hand with commitment and a smile. He will be deeply missed by all those who served with him in D Company.” Captain Will Johnson, Private Kerr’s first Platoon Commander, said: “Private Jamie Kerr was an extremely honest and positive soldier, whose enthusiasm for his job was infectious for everyone around him. He was bursting with potential and was known as a “safe pair of hands”. Quick-witted and resourceful, he will always be remembered as a popular and dedicated member of his Platoon, Company and the Battalion.”

Sergeant Gary Buchanan, Private Kerr’s Platoon Sergeant, said: “Private Jamie Kerr was a well-respected member of the Black Watch and D Company in particular. He was a man who gave 100% in all that he was asked to do. He would then give that little bit extra – it was just the kind of person he was. The Battalion has lost a soldier of professional excellence, a huge sense of humour, and simple decency. The loss for his family is far greater, and our prayers are with them. He will be sadly missed by us all.” Lance Corporal Peter Barnes, who was 2IC of Private Kerr’s section, said: “When Jamie Kerr was in my section for any task, you could guarantee there would be smiles and good banter. He had a great sense of humour even when times might be at a real low, and we will all really miss him".