Posted on 04/22/2003 7:10:45 PM PDT by Happygal
HE WAS carried on the shoulders of weeping comrades, a band of brothers who were clearly desolated by his loss, but comforted in the knowledge that war inevitably claims the bravest and the best first.
In that belief, there was great comfort to be found in Perth yesterday as the city gave its final salute to Lance Corporal Barry "Baz" Stephen, a soldier who wore the blue bonnet and red hackle with honour.
L-Cpl Stephen, 31, of the 1st Battalion Black Watch, was, in the words of those he left behind, the bravest - the only Scottish soldier to die in the Gulf, killed when an Iraqi militia grenade exploded as he returned enemy fire.
His colleagues yesterday called him a hero and a great soldier, a role model for all who follow him; his family were content to describe him as a wonderful husband and son.
The residents of his home town stood in silence as his Saltire-draped casket, adorned with the blue bonnet, bore the first casualty of war to emerge from the arched doors of St John’s Kirk since the Korean conflict of the early 1950s.
The tragic symmetry of the occasion was not lost on the many hundreds, who lined the streets and provided his final guard of honour. St John’s is, historically and symbolically, the very heart of Perth, a refuge in times of crisis. It is also the regimental church, and it was Baz Stephen’s local parish.
As six soldiers carried their fallen comrade into the light, an old man with tears in his eyes, his chest bedecked with medals from an earlier conflict with its own share of loss and tragedy, whispered: "God give rest to you, son."
During the 45-minute service, those who knew, admired and loved him spoke of the man who epitomised his regiment’s motto: Nemo me impune lacessitt - No-one provokes me with impunity.
Many of the city residents who gathered in crowds that encompassed babes in arms to pensioners with sticks, had never before witnessed a funeral with military honours.
But they were there for the return of L-Cpl Stephen, who was killed at Az Zubayr in Southern Iraq, just a few days into the conflict, one of 30 British soldiers killed in action during the war against Saddam Hussein’s evil regime.
Bert Young, 81, the elderly soldier with the medals and his own memories of the Second World War, said: "I’m glad they could bring him home for his mother and his wife. It has to be a comfort. I knew so many men from my generation who died only to remain where they fell."
L-Cpl’s Stephen’s family were also heartened by poetic words written many years ago by a young and anonymous combatant of the First World War: "... still through chaos works the ancient plan".
After the service, his loved ones came into the street and hugged each other against a coldness that will take time rather than embraces to dissipate. His coffin bore a message from his wife, Shirley, which read simply: "Love you always - Shirley XXX".
It was one of many tributes inside the kirk to come from the regiment and his friends and family. From his parents, there was a bouquet and message: "Fair thee well my soldier laddie, rest in peace now the battle’s over. Love Mum and Dad."
"To Uncle Baz," another card read. "You will always be our hero - lots of love, Chris and Jake." Nearby was a wreath in the design of a motorbike - a passion of L-Cpl Stephen’s - which read: "RIP Baz, a hero to us all, from all his mates."
Another, from his in-laws, said: "Barry, we are so proud of you. A super son-in-law, and brother-in-law. Always loved, sorely missed, never forgotten. Forever in our thoughts. Roy, Sheena and Karen".
The dead soldier’s wife said: "Since the devastating news of Barry’s death in action on 24 March, we have been inundated with literally hundreds of cards, letters and e-mail messages of sympathy and support from across the world. To know our personal loss has been felt so widely has been a great comfort in these difficult weeks.
"We are particularly grateful to the people of Perth for their support today, and glad to know that they share our sense of pride in Barry. He in turn was proud to belong both to the city and to its local regiment, the Black Watch.
"Barry worked hard and achieved much in his short life and we, his family, are very proud of him. He will be sorely missed forever."
L-Cpl Stephen joined the Black Watch in 1997 and had served in Northern Ireland, Germany and Britain before becoming part of the regimental recruiting team.
He rejoined the mortar platoon, which is usually based in Germany, last year.
Brigadier Gary Barnett, the colonel of the Black Watch, said: "He is an outstanding example of a loyal, considerate and caring soldier, who will be remembered as someone who served his regiment and country to the very best of his ability, demonstrating courage and leadership at all times."
Rev Neil Gardner, a former chaplain of the Black Watch, who delivered the funeral address, added: "His selfless courage in the face of enemy fire has come as no surprise to those who knew him best.
"Nor has the nature of resistance that the Black Watch battle group faced come as any surprise to a regiment long used to conflict in the desert."
It was ironic, said the minister, that exactly 60 years ago, the regiment was involved in a similar fight "under the same Eastern skies that Barry Stephen was killed in action".
In April 1943, a poem written by the regiment’s most famous soldier, Field Marshall Earl Wavell, finished with: "Fighting ’gainst greed for power and hate and lies." That time, the enemy was Hitler.
The service ended with the collect - regimental prayer - of the Black Watch. "O God, whose strength sets fast the mountains, Lord of the Hill to whom we lift our eyes: grant us grace that we of the Black Watch, once chosen to watch the mountains of an early kingdom, may stand fast in the faith and be strong, until we come to our heavenly Kingdom of Him who has bidden us watch and pray."
The final plaintive note of the Last Post was replaced by the skirl of the pipes as Pipe Major Steven Small played the lament of Lochaber No More.
High above, in the steeple of St John’s, the church’s carillon of 35 bells tolled as L-Cpl Stephen and his band of brothers made their long, slow march through the streets, in honour of a brave man and a fallen comrade.
Prayers for this valiant soldier.
He saw the glory and told the story
Of battles glorious and deeds victorious,
But bugles cease now, he is at peace now,
Far from these green hills of Tyrol.
Too sad for words..
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