Barry Stephen died in southern Iraq

Lance Corporal Barry Stephen, from Perth, received a Posthumous Mention in Despatches - one of 11 individual bravery honours which were awarded to the Black Watch.

The citation states that he was killed during a selfless and courageous act defending his mortar platoon.

More than 350 servicemen and women, representing all ranks and services, have been honoured by the Queen for their courage and professionalism during recent hostilities in Iraq.

Among them was Colonel Mike Riddell-Webster, who was in charge of the Black Watch battle group, part of Seventh Armoured Brigade.

Responsible for 12,075 men, he crossed the Iraqi border on March 23 this year, heading for the town of Al Zubayr.

The battle group also took control of several key bridges over a canal just north of Basra.

'Over the moon'

The colonel's men relieved the US marines and allowed them to head north towards Baghdad.

But when the Black Watch arrived on the outskirts of Al Zubayr they found that the regular Iraqi Army had gone and they faced guerrilla-style fighting.

"The army had gone home, it literally voted with its feet and had gone," he said.

Col Riddell-Webster, from Coupar Angus, north of Perth, said he was full of pride for the award he had been given.

He said: "I am over the moon, deeply honoured.

"In a way, I don't see it as an award for me, but for the battle group as a whole."

Pilots honoured

Meanwhile, a total of 15 RAF servicemen and women were also honoured at the Lossiemouth base in Moray.

Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded to pilots Squadron Leader David Knowles and his navigator Flight Lieutenant Andrew Turk, who flew the first operational mission in the opening seconds of the war using Storm Shadow missiles.

Squadron Leader Knowles was recognised for his exceptional skill and bravery - he completed the mission after having to jettison his fuel tanks when his Tornado came under fire from a surface to air missile.

RAF regiment corporal Jason Lewis was made an MBE after being involved in operations to protect allied aircraft at Basra international airport.

RAF Lossiemouth's contribution to the operations in Iraq was absolutely pivotal Group Captain Stephen Hillier

He saved the life of a gunman who was shot by his team after they were ambushed by armed looters.

At RAF Lossiemouth, Group Captain Stephen Hillier, commanding officer at the base, was awarded an American commendation, the Bronze Star, given as a symbol of the coalition effort during the conflict.

Captain Hillier said awards such as the ones his personnel had received were not given out lightly.

He said: "From my perspective, I'm absolutely delighted at the level of recognition for the station. RAF Lossiemouth's contribution to the operations in Iraq was absolutely pivotal."

Lossiemouth pilots flew the first missions over Iraq

Squadron Leader John Turner, 38, from Ilfracombe in Devon, received the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of his individual courage and achievements.

Squadron Leader Turner, a Tornado navigator and flight commander with 12 Bomber Squadron, led several highly successful air combat missions as well as coping with ground duties.

Flight Lieutenant Robert Cheveli, 33, from Cambridge, was mentioned in dispatches for several air attacks while serving with 617 Squadron.

Flight Lieutenant Shaun Kimberley, 32, from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, a Tornado pilot from 12 Squadron, had been mentioned in dispatches after he continued a night attack on the outskirts of Baghdad despite a weapons system failure.