Private Robert McLaren from The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS), was killed in Afghanistan on the morning of 11 June, 2009 in an explosion.

Pte McLaren, aged 20, from Kintra, by Fionnphort on the Isle of Mull, was fresh out of infantry recruit training. He was schooled at Bunnessan Primary and then Oban High School. Pte McLaren joined the Army in November 2007 and trained first at the Army Training Regiment in Winchester and then as a Royal Engineer in Surrey.

Pte McLaren ultimately decided to pursue a career as a Scottish Infantryman and attended and comfortably passed the Combat Infantryman's Course at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick. He passed out of Seven Platoon on 3 April, 2009 and was posted to The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland on operations in Southern Afghanistan.

Pte McLaren's family said: "We are very proud of Robert; he died doing a job he loved and we will cherish fond memories of Robert for ever."

Commanding Officer 3 SCOTS, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright said: "Private Robert McLaren has been cruelly taken from us after only four weeks of active service in The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

"The Battalion was conducting an offensive operation against the insurgents in one of the most dangerous parts of the southern Afghanistan. His Company had been engaged in close combat with the insurgents for several hours and Robert had displayed enormous physical courage during this battle for one so young.

"He gave his life for his friends with his selfless commitment, moving forward in the face of a determined and ruthless enemy.

"From the moment he arrived he threw his heart and body into everything he was asked to do. He completed three large operations with his Company and he made an immediate positive impression with his JNCOs (Junior Non-Commissioned Officer).

"Fit, keen to learn and easy company, Robert had so much going for him and was so proud to be on operations so soon in his career.

"Any death in this close knit Battalion delivers an emotional body blow, but the loss of this young man so soon after joining us has hit us particularly hard."

Officer Commanding Alpha (Grenadier) Company, Major Matt Munro said: "Robert McLaren will be remembered as a trusted friend, a brave highland Jock and an enormously talented and decent man. His sudden death is a huge blow to all of us who were privileged and fortunate enough to soldier with him.

"Quietly confident, steady and assured he was an old head on young shoulders. Thoughtful and reflective, he had a ready smile, a wicked dry sense of humour and an easy manner.

"Though he soldiered with us for barely a month he immediately won the respect and admiration of all of his brother Jocks; he made a tremendous impact in the short time that he served with us in Alpha (Grenadier) Company. "Robert was a clever man who well understood the big picture; he was a 'canny' Jock who was as comfortable when robustly defeating the insurgent as he was compassionate when interacting with Afghan civilians.

"He was in his element here in Afghanistan. On his first operation, just a month out of recruit training he left an indelible impression on his brother Jocks when in his first contact he fearlessly and decisively engaged insurgents at close range.

"He was killed two weeks later by an improvised explosive device as once again; under accurate and sustained fire he pushed himself forward to support his imperilled colleagues.

"This was typical of the man who without hesitation, question or thought for his personal safety, repeatedly pushed himself to the fore.

"Our grief is seemingly overwhelming but nothing compared to that which his family must be suffering. They are in our thoughts and prayers.

"If Robert were still with us I am clear that as a proud and determined Grenadier he would be urging us forward. Robert will be sorely missed but never forgotten. Nemo Me Impune Lacessit."

Defence Secretary, the Rt Hon. Bob Ainsworth, said: "His colleagues' moving tributes leave no doubt that Private McLaren was a courageous and determined young soldier whose maturity and dedication will be sorely missed.

"He clearly made a significant contribution on his tour of duty in Afghanistan. My thoughts and sympathies are with his family, friends and comrades at this difficult time."

The death brings the total number of British troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 167.