The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has named the two soldiers killed while serving in Afghanistan on Monday.
Sergeant Stuart Millar and Private Kevin Elliot of The Black Watch, Third Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland lost their lives as a result of an explosion while on foot patrol in Helmand province.
The explosion is believed to have been caused by a rocket-propelled grenade, when the soldiers were attacked by insurgents whilst patrolling on foot in Babaji district on August 31st.
Sergeant Stuart 'Gus' Millar, 40, from Inverness, joined the army in 2000, after service in the Territorial Army. The MoD said he had served in Northern Ireland, Falkland Islands, Cyprus and Iraq. He moved to the Black Watch as a mortar fire controller in Belfast in July 2007 and deployed to Afghanistan in April 2009.
A statement from his family read: 'Gus always wanted to be a soldier from a very young age. He passionately enjoyed his job and often talked fondly about his colleagues and friends.
'He was very brave and is a credit to both our family and the army. We are really proud of him as a father, son, brother and soldier.'
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright, commanding officer of the Black Watch, Third Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland added: 'I have been fortunate to know Sgt Gus Millar for many years and we have shared many happy moments, not least dragging ourselves over the Aonach Eagach Ridge in Glencoe some eight years ago.
'In his role as a mortar fire controller, he was at the very front of the action throughout the summer, famously being caught on the ITN news on the first day of Op Panther's Claw, complaining that a long fire fight with the insurgents had delayed his 'morning brew'. It was typical of the man: in the thick of the action, professional expertise to the fore, combined with his wonderfully positive and humorous style. But he had a bite when required, and the Jocks knew not to cross the line.
'He was 40 years young and married his wife Jillian last year. They have a very young and beautiful daughter, Grace.
'He showed a recent picture of them to the Padre, beamed with pride and tucked it into his notebook, minutes before he deployed on this operation. All our deepest thoughts and prayers are with Jillian and Grace as well as Gus' family and friends at this most tragic time.'
The second soldier to be killed in the explosion was Pte Elliott, 24, from Dundee. He joined the army in 2002, and had served in Northern Ireland and Iraq.
A statement from his family read: 'Kevin was a loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, uncle and cousin who will be sorely missed by the whole family.'
Captain Harry Gladstone, fire support group commander said: 'Pte Kev Elliott was a unique soldier. He was excellent in the field and had a brilliant sense of humour.
'I remember talking him shortly before we left Inverness to deploy to Afghanistan in March. He was dressed in his civilian clothes, having been de-kitted, and about to walk out of Fort George back to civilian life when he decided to sign back on.
When asked why he decided to sign back on he simply said 'I didn't want to miss the boys'. This comment sums up his attitude to the army.
'The guy loved having fun, and lived life to the full. He leaves two brothers Craig and Thomas, and his two sisters Natasha and Kirsty. Our thoughts are also with his mum Maggie and his grandmother Margaret. We remember him for his sense of humour and all that he contributed to battalion life.'
Sergeant Stuart Millar and Private Kevin Elliot of The Black Watch, Third Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland lost their lives as a result of an explosion while on foot patrol in Helmand province.
The explosion is believed to have been caused by a rocket-propelled grenade, when the soldiers were attacked by insurgents whilst patrolling on foot in Babaji district on August 31st.
Sergeant Stuart 'Gus' Millar, 40, from Inverness, joined the army in 2000, after service in the Territorial Army. The MoD said he had served in Northern Ireland, Falkland Islands, Cyprus and Iraq. He moved to the Black Watch as a mortar fire controller in Belfast in July 2007 and deployed to Afghanistan in April 2009.
A statement from his family read: 'Gus always wanted to be a soldier from a very young age. He passionately enjoyed his job and often talked fondly about his colleagues and friends.
'He was very brave and is a credit to both our family and the army. We are really proud of him as a father, son, brother and soldier.'
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright, commanding officer of the Black Watch, Third Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland added: 'I have been fortunate to know Sgt Gus Millar for many years and we have shared many happy moments, not least dragging ourselves over the Aonach Eagach Ridge in Glencoe some eight years ago.
'In his role as a mortar fire controller, he was at the very front of the action throughout the summer, famously being caught on the ITN news on the first day of Op Panther's Claw, complaining that a long fire fight with the insurgents had delayed his 'morning brew'. It was typical of the man: in the thick of the action, professional expertise to the fore, combined with his wonderfully positive and humorous style. But he had a bite when required, and the Jocks knew not to cross the line.
'He was 40 years young and married his wife Jillian last year. They have a very young and beautiful daughter, Grace.
'He showed a recent picture of them to the Padre, beamed with pride and tucked it into his notebook, minutes before he deployed on this operation. All our deepest thoughts and prayers are with Jillian and Grace as well as Gus' family and friends at this most tragic time.'
The second soldier to be killed in the explosion was Pte Elliott, 24, from Dundee. He joined the army in 2002, and had served in Northern Ireland and Iraq.
A statement from his family read: 'Kevin was a loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, uncle and cousin who will be sorely missed by the whole family.'
Captain Harry Gladstone, fire support group commander said: 'Pte Kev Elliott was a unique soldier. He was excellent in the field and had a brilliant sense of humour.
'I remember talking him shortly before we left Inverness to deploy to Afghanistan in March. He was dressed in his civilian clothes, having been de-kitted, and about to walk out of Fort George back to civilian life when he decided to sign back on.
When asked why he decided to sign back on he simply said 'I didn't want to miss the boys'. This comment sums up his attitude to the army.
'The guy loved having fun, and lived life to the full. He leaves two brothers Craig and Thomas, and his two sisters Natasha and Kirsty. Our thoughts are also with his mum Maggie and his grandmother Margaret. We remember him for his sense of humour and all that he contributed to battalion life.'
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