26/10/2009

Hero Soldier Dies In Fatal Stabbing

An Iraq war hero died yesterday after being stabbed in Renfrewshire.

Paul McGee - who served with the Scots Guards in Iraq - died after being found fatally injured in his town, Lochwinnoch.

He was found in McConnell Road around 1.25am on Sunday. Then he was taken to Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, where he died a short time later.

The police have arrested a 28-year-old man in connection with Guardsman McGee's death and he is expected to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court later today.

Scots Guardsman Paul McGee, 28, from Lochwinnoch, had been working in an army recruiting office in Scotland at the time of his death.

In July 2008, McGee had been awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery paying tribute to his heroic action on a tour of duty in Iraq after he risked his life trying to save his fellow Guardsman Stephen Ferguson in December 2007.

Ferguson, from 1st Battalion Scots Guards, was badly injured when his Warrior armoured vehicle slid into a canal while manoeuvring in the dark during a routine patrol near Basra city.

Some soldiers, included McGee, freed the victim from the vehicle and gave first aid - but tragically - although he was flown back to the UK for medical treatment, the injured soldier later died from his injuries.

Now, the whole of the Scots Guards 'family' has expressed shock at this further tragic death - this time of one of its heroes.

Guardsman McGee commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln Jopp MC, described him as "a superb guardsman and as brave as they come".

The Lieutenant Colonel also pointed McGee had displayed "real talent" while he had been working in Glasgow recruiting for the Scots Guards.

He added: "The men of the 1st Battalion and the regimental family join me in sending our sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to Paul's mother Anne, his sister Kelly and his family and friends in Lochwinnoch. We honour our fallen."

A post mortem examination was carried out yesterday into Guardsman McGee's death.

(CL/BMcC)

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