A SOLDIER who whose death on holiday Portugal is shrouded in mystery was described as a "tremendous young man" as he received a full military funeral.
Lance Corporal Darren Lackie, 22, of the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 Scots), died after being found unconscious in the street two weeks ago following a night out while on a break in Albufeira, with his girlfriend, Ashleigh Wilson.
His father Graham, 51, has raised questions about the death, which Portuguese police have insisted was an accident. He is convinced that L/Cpl Lackie’s drinks were spiked and he was mugged because his iPhone was missing and he was found without any money.
Around 600 mourners packed the church in his home town of Cupar yesterday for the funeral, where they were told his motto in life was: “The brave don’t live long but the cautious don’t live at all.”
L/Cpl Lackie’s coffin was draped with a Union flag, with his medals from Northern Ireland and Afghanistan on top alongside his belt and glengarry.
At St John’s and Dairsie United Parish Church, the Reverend Gordon Jenkins spoke on behalf parents Graham and Helen Lackie.
As a boy his life was all about outdoor activities, the Rev Jenkins said. The mourners, who included fellow soldiers and school friends, also heard from company commander Major Al Steele.
Maj Steele said L/Cpl Lackie cared deeply about his profession and “stood out as a man who was outstanding in every respect”, never fazed by the challenges he faced on the front line in Afghanistan.
“Time and time again Darren showed immense physical and moral courage in the face of mortal danger,” Maj Steele said.
L/Cpl Lackie, pictured, was found lying unconscious on a pavement at the bottom of stairs in the Portuguese resort and died three days later.
His family have demanded that a full investigation be carried out by the Portuguese authorities.
His body was flown back to Scotland last Saturday.
Maj Steele told the congregation, including L/Cpl Lackie’s brothers, Calvin, 20, and Ben, 16, that the soldier was a man of “immense integrity” who had been promoted to Lance Corporal but had set his sights higher and was looking forward to returning to Afghanistan.
“I have no doubt that he was destined for great success with the rest of us simply left trying to keep up,” Maj Steele said.
The congregation gathered outside as his coffin was carried from the church by soldiers from 3 Scots.
The streets were lined with hundreds more mourners as the hearse made its way to Cupar Cemetery for a full military burial. L/Cpl Lackie’s mother, Helen, received the Union flag.
Meanwhile, the funeral of Colour Sergeant Alan Cameron, of the 1st Battalion The Scots Guards, was also held yesterday. The battalion’s “father figure” suffered serious head injuries when he was struck by an improvised explosive device while on foot patrol north of Lashkar Gah in April last year.
The 42-year-old died suddenly of his wounds at his home in Livingston at the end of March.
A post-mortem examination found that his death was directly attributable to the injuries he sustained last year.
He was buried with full military honours at St John’s Church in Bathgate.
Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln Jopp, commanding officer of 1st Battalion Scots Guards, said: “Whether in Canada in charge of his beloved Javelin platoon or in Afghanistan in charge of the Fire Support Group, with his greying hair and knowing smile, he was someone everyone looked up to and admired.”
C/Sgt Cameron leaves behind a son, Dean, and partner, Nicola.
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