By Alan Richardson

A STRATHEARN community has been left shocked by the death of one of its own in a bomb attack in Iraq.

Security expert Robert Cumming (35) from Comrie, was killed on Saturday when a roadside bomb exploded as he escorted an American military convoy in Diwaniya, approximately 100 miles from Baghdad.

He has many family members throughout Strathearn but they said they would be making no comment about his death until after they get his body back to Scotland and hold his funeral.

Mr Cumming—nicknamed Chippy because his parents used to own the village chip shop—was working for security specialists Erinys in the front vehicle of the convoy, protecting military engineers, when the bomb went off.

It is believed he died instantly.

Another security guard with the firm, thought to be an American, was also killed.

Mr Cumming joined the army straight from leaving Crieff High School and was latterly with the First Battalion, the Parachute Regiment before moving to the private security sector.

A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed his death and an Erinys spokesman added, “He was a superb guy.”

Mr Cumming is survived by his parents and three sisters.