10:41am Saturday 28th November 2009
By Philippa Weighell
AS the cold November sun shone across the North Yorkshire countryside, hundreds of mourners gathered in the grounds of the Zetland Estate, near Richmond.
They had come to say goodbye to one of their own – as the son of the estate’s gamekeeper, Serjeant Phillip Scott had always been proud of his status as a “proper, Northern country lad”.
Barely a year earlier, the Reverend Leonard Gandiya, who led the funeral service, had performed the marriage ceremony of Sjt Scott and his wife, Ellen.
Yesterday, Mr Gandiya spoke of his shock and sadness at losing Sjt Scott, but called on mourners to “celebrate a life faithfully and generously lived”.
Born in Malton, Sjt Scott was brought up in Richmond and attended Richmond School.
He joined the Army in 2001, following a stint working with his father, Mike, on the nearby Zetland Estate, and always retained a deep love of the North Yorkshire countryside.
He lived in Edinburgh with his wife and their two young children, Ellie and Mikey, where he was based with his regiment 3rd Battalion The Rifles – the unusual spelling of serjeant is specific to the regiment.
Sjt Scott was killed in a bomb blast earlier this month while helping to clear explosives in Sangin province, in Afghanistan.
Mrs Scott did not speak during the service, but Sjt Scott’s stepbrother, Will Raw, read out words she had written for her husband: “Phil came into my life like a whirlwind, blowing away the bad and bringing nothing but good,” she said.
“He gave me a life I had only dreamed of, and two beautiful children – Phil will live on through them.
“I will keep them both safe and loved, and they will always be told how wonderful and brave their daddy was.
“Rest in peace my beautiful man, my protector, my love.”
After completing initial training at Winch Catterick Garrison, Sjt Scott passed out to join C Company, 2nd Battalion, The Light Infantry in January 2002.
During his career, Sjt Scott – known as Scotty to his friends – served twice in Iraq, as well as in Northern Ireland.
He also worked as a training officer in Catterick Garrison, before his final deployment to Afghanistan in September on Operation Herrick 11, alongside his brother, Robin.
Speaking before the service Major Chris Willis, of the 3rd Battalion The Rifles, said: “Everyone I’ve spoken to about him remarks on his tremendous smile. He was such a friendly, good humoured family man – a strong and silent character, who inspired those around him.
“He will be greatly missed.”
Sjt Scott’s father Mike spoke only briefly, thanking mourners for their hundreds of messages of sympathy and support.
He said it was a privilege to call Sjt Scott his son.
As the bugle sounded the Last Post, the coffin was carefully placed back into the hearse, which was adorned with a flower arrangement in the shape of a pheasant, representing Sjt Scott’s countryside upbringing.
Family members followed the hearse away from the chapel for a private interment.
Mr Gandiya said: “We are stunned and shocked at what has happened. It seems like just a moment ago that we were gathered here for his marriage to Ellen, which I had the privilege to conduct.
“His family say the softer side of him really began to show after he met Ellen, and he was a caring and passionate family man.
“As a gamekeeper’s son, he loved the simple things in life and had an in-built feel for nature.
His big grin and infectious laugh never seemed to waver.
“Today, we pay tribute to a greatly-loved man, and celebrate a life faithfully and generously lived.”
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