Funeral for tragic soldier killed on exercise

A SCOTS soldier who was shot dead during a live firing exercise has been laid to rest in his home town.

Private Conor McPherson died while taking part in a night training drill at the Otterburn Training Area in Northumberland on August 22.

The 24- year- old sustained a serious head wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A funeral service was held for Pte McPherson, of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, at St Peter’s Church in Paisley, yesterday morning.

His commanding officer, Lt Col Alasdair Steele, described him as “hugely committed” to the Army.

In a statement released last month, he said: “He constantly drove to develop himself physically and was well liked among his peers for his sharp wit and sense of humour.

“However, Private McPherson’s true passion was to his parents and his older sister.

“He was part of a very close- knit family and his great joy was spending time with them at the weekends and over leave.

“The entire battalion’s thoughts are very much with his family and friends.”

Pte McPherson enlisted into the Royal Regiment of Scotland in May 2014 as a combat infantryman.

MoD investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding his death.