In Remembrance: Private Scott Kennedy — The Black Watch / 2 Royal Welsh, Basra, 28 June 2007
Private Scott Kennedy, The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, was killed in Basra on 28 June 2007. He was 20 and from Oakley, Dunfermline.
Volunteering to serve with 2 Royal Welsh
Scott had been serving with his battalion in Northern Ireland when he volunteered to reinforce 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh for Operation TELIC 10. He joined B (Rorke’s Drift) Company for pre-deployment training and the Iraq tour.
Official tributes describe him as a hard-working and conscientious young soldier who was quick-witted, independent-minded and strongly committed to the team around him. He had not been in the Army for long, but his commanders regarded him as a capable and reliable member of his platoon.
28 June 2007
In the early hours of 28 June, B Company was helping protect a sustainment convoy moving from Basra Palace toward the main British base. Scott was part of a Warrior patrol supporting the route-security task.
After dismounting with the group to check the ground ahead, an improvised explosive device detonated at about 01:00 local time in south-east Basra. Scott was killed alongside Corporal Paul Joszko of 2 Royal Welsh and fellow Black Watch soldier Private James (Jamie) Kerr. A fourth British soldier was very seriously injured.
Remembering Scott
Scott was known as “Casper” to friends and colleagues. The MOD record preserves tributes that remember his humour, intelligence and willingness to help others, as well as the pride he took in being a soldier. He was also looking forward to becoming a father.
I think his story also says something important about TELIC. A casualty list does not always follow cap badges neatly. Scott was a Black Watch soldier who volunteered to reinforce 2 Royal Welsh, joined a new company and carried exactly the same risks as the men beside him. I was in Basra on TELIC 10, but I am not going to manufacture a personal recollection of Scott where I have not supplied one.
Also remembered from 28 June 2007
Return to Log 047 — Operation TELIC campaign guide →
Official remembrance record
Image note: The official MOD remembrance page contains Scott’s portrait, but the photograph is marked “All rights reserved”, so I have not reproduced it here without permission.
