Sergeant Stuart 'Gus' Millar, from The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, died on 31 August 2009 while on foot patrol in Afghanistan.

Sgt Millar, 40, from Inverness, was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade alongside his colleague, Private Kevin Elliott , aged 24.

He was married to Jillian last year and the couple had a very young daughter, Grace.

Sgt Millar's family said: "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."

He joined the Army in 2000, after serving in the Territorial Army, and after training joined the Mortar Platoon of 1st Battalion The Royal Highland Fusiliers.

He went on to serve in Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, Cyprus and Iraq. He moved to The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) as a mortar fire controller in Belfast in July 2007 and deployed to Afghanistan in April 2009.

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright, Commanding Officer of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, who knew Gus Millar for many years, said: "We have shared many happy moments, not least dragging ourselves over the Aonach Eagach Ridge in Glencoe some eight years ago.

"Sgt Gus Millar was a dedicated and professional Senior Non-Commissioned Officer.

A career mortarman, he loved his job and during this tour had been able to put all his experience and years of training to the ultimate test in the most demanding of environments.

He was a wonderfully kind and dependable man: the solid rock amongst the shingle. He had a remarkable sense of duty and has been the continuity in the development of the mortar platoon over the years.

"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 had a truly wonderful sense of humour and it is this facet of this great man that we will all miss the most.

"He has given his life in the service of his comrades, for the Royal Regiment of Scotland, his country and the people of Afghanistan. We all consider ourselves truly privileged to have known him, to have served with him."

Major Matt Munro, Officer Commanding Alpha (Grenadier) Company said: "He was great company; we loved his Glaswegian patter as it was guaranteed to raise a smile in even the most trying of circumstances.

"Gus was an awesome soldier; brave, technically capable, energetic and self-disciplined. He was quite simply a wonderful example to us all."

The two soldiers were killed when they were attacked by insurgents whilst patrolling on foot in Babaji District, Helmand Province on the morning of Monday 31 August 2009.