'A hero' — friends and family pay tribute at funeral of Blairgowrie soldier Aaron Black
Former Blairgowrie soldier Aaron Black has been laid to rest at a funeral in his home town.
- By Alan Richardson
- Published in the Courier : 30.12.11
- Published online : 30.12.11 @ 03.19pm
Mr Black (21) died last weekend after what his mother had described as a struggle to come to terms with his experiences in Afghanistan.
He had completed a tour of duty there as a member of The Black Watch in 2009, during which he is believed to have been involved in combat situations, although he refused to speak openly to family about his experiences.
Having joined the Army at the age of 16, he left in May with an ''exemplary'' record but found the return to civvy street difficult.
His friend Emma Fullagar, an army medic who served with Aaron in Afghanistan in 2009, set up a Facebook page in his memory, where touching tributes have been left by friends and colleagues.
She said: ''He was an intelligent young man who could have done anything. But the sights he saw affected him, as it does many people. He came back injured and should be classed as a hero.
''If the injuries were physical, people would have crossed the road to shake his hand. But, because it was mental, people keep away. He died of injuries sustained while serving his country and he should be remembered in the same way as all of our friends we have lost.''
Aaron, who is survived by three siblings, was described by his mother, June, as a ''likeable and funny'' son who had been proud to march through Perth when his battalion returned home.
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