By Alan Richardson

A POIGNANT tribute to Scotland’s first victim of the Iraq war was held in his home village of Scone yesterday.

The village war memorial was wreathed in mist as Lance Corporal Barry Stephen’s name was unveiled—the first to be added since the second world war.

L/Cpl Stephen (31) was killed in March in an ambush in the southern town of Al Zubayr.

He posthumously received a Mention in Dispatches for his gallantry under fire and the joint council/Black Watch ceremony yesterday will ensure the memory of his bravery will live on. The simple inscription “Iraq 2003 L.Cpl Barry Stephen 1 BW” has been added to the memorial, joining those of fallen comrades throughout the last century.

His family attended a private unveiling with representatives of The Black Watch, Provost Bob Scott and local councillors Lewis Simpson and Jimmy Doig.

Provost Scott said, “This is the first name added to the memorial for nearly 60 years, for which we should be grateful but it is of little consolation in our loss of a husband, son, brother, uncle, friend and comrade in arms.

Mr Scott added, “The name inscribed here does not show the circumstances of Lance Corporal Stephen’s death but we know he was awarded a posthumous Mention in Dispatches for his gallantry during the action in which he lost his life.

“That is a fact of which the family should be immensely proud and will, I am sure, be of some consolation.

“We in Perth and Kinross, and in particular the people of Scone, are proud of Barry Stephen and proud to have his name inscribed on this memorial.”

L/Cpl Stephen died on March 24 when The Black Watch encountered Fedayeen militia near Al Zubayr.

He was killed in a grenade attack as he braved bullets to reach a machine gun in a bid to save his comrades pinned down in their armoured vehicle.

Black Watch assistant regimental secretary Major Ronnie Proctor said, “Barry died a hero, braving a hail of bullets to help get his mates out of a fix—and his name has now joined those of other local heroes from the two world wars.”

He added, “This memorial shows people are still going out and giving their lives and that is something the public should be aware of.”