Funeral of Black Watch soldier held after tragedy in live-firing exercise

The funeral of a soldier who was shot dead during a live-firing exercise has been held in Paisley, Renfrewshire.

The service for Private Conor McPherson took place at St Peter's Church in his home town on Saturday.

Private McPherson, 24, from The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, died after suffering a serious head wound at the Otterburn Training Area in Northumberland on August 22.

His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel 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.''

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

Police and Ministry of Defence accident investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding his death.

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