Friends, family and soldiers have gathered for the funeral of an Army officer killed by a rogue member of the Afghan army on Remembrance Day.

Captain Walter Barrie was playing in a football match between British soldiers and members of the Afghan National Army (ANA) at his base in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province on November 11 when he was shot at close range.

The 41-year-old, from Glasgow, has been described as a "great man" by his wife, Sonia, and a "doting and amazing father" to his 15-year-old son, Callum.

Mourners gathered for the funeral at Glencorse Kirk in Penicuik, Midlothian, this morning. The service will be followed by a private burial.

Capt Barrie, of The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 Scots), had been mentoring and advising a brigade of the ANA to take over security in an area of southern Afghanistan.

He had served for 25 years, including tours of Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan in 2008. The latest tour of duty saw him deployed to Afghanistan on August 31.

His colleagues in the Army called him a "brilliant bloke" and a "soldiers' soldier". The Ministry of Defence has described him as an "approachable and compassionate officer" who cared deeply for the well-being of those around him.

The funeral was held near Glencorse Barracks, home of 2 Scots, of which Capt Barrie was previously a member for some time. The church was packed full for the funeral.

Among those said to be attending today's service were the soldier's wife, his son, mother Georgie Irvine, and stepfather Robert Irvine.His brother, Alan Barrie, and sister, Donna Scott, were also thought to be among the congregation.

Rangers FC manager Ally McCoist was among those at the funeral of the soldier, who was an ardent fan of the Ibrox team, and the coffin was carried out of the service to the sound of the Tina Turner song Simply The Best.

Mourners, wearing dark clothing or military uniform, had gathered well in advance of the service.

A large photograph of the uniformed soldier stood at the front of the church, as did two floral wreaths, one white and one red.

The coffin - bearing a Union flag, Capt Barrie's officer's sword, head-dress, medals, Sam Browne belt and a poppy wreath - was carried in to the service to the sound of a lone piper.

A poignant floral tribute spelled out the word "Dad".

During the service, the congregation heard a moving tribute from the officer's son, Callum.

He said: "If I was to describe my dad in three words, I would say he was caring, funny and kind.

"One thing I will always remember is that he'd give anything a try and would always do it with a smile on his face.

"He always treated everyone he met with respect and usually managed to have a laugh and joke with them too.

"I was very close to my dad and have lots of good memories, the best of which included football.

"Whether we were playing in the garden or driving to Glasgow to see Rangers, we always had a good time."

Through tears, he went on: "Today I come to say goodbye to an amazing father, but also my best friend. Thank you, Dad, for all the memories."

An Army spokeswoman said an estimated 900 to 1,000 people attended the funeral. About 450 were inside the church while the same number again filled an overspill area outside.

A statement on behalf of Capt Barrie's wife Sonia was read out, before the coffin was carried out.

Explaining the use of the Tina Turner song, reader Matthew Smith said: "Walter was a very traditional man and therefore a traditional send-off was what he would have wanted.However, in a break from tradition, we hoped this would make Walter smile."

The statement went on: "Walter loved the short time he spent at 1Scots. He felt welcome and part of the family from day one and he made many friends.

"But his heart will always be with the Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2Scots, but more so with C Company, where he spent many amazing years.

"Walter was a die-hard Rangers fan, which rubbed off on Callum at a very young age.

"Every time Sonia went to C Company functions with Walter, this song was always played at the end.

"Every time she was forced to go to a Rangers game with Walter and Callum, this song was always played.

"Walter Reid Barrie was simply the best. Love and miss you forever, babes. Sonia."

Reverend Benjamin Abeledo, who led the service, spoke of Capt Barrie's accomplishments during his life.

"We give thanks for those things he did to make our world a better place," he said.
"Through his service, may our dedication to serving others be deepened."

He told the gathering: "There is no doubt that with the death of Walter a great man has fallen. Scotland has lost a great son. The regiment has lost a great soldier. Those of us who knew him have lost a husband, a father, a son, a brother and personal friend."

He said of the soldier: "He had a great deal of respect for the profession of soldiering. He was a traditional man with traditional ways of doing things. He was loyal, committed, enthusiastic, with a huge, infectious personality. Walter was not big-headed or arrogant. On the contrary, he was a humble man who cared deeply for the well-being of those around him."

The minister described the officer as a Glaswegian with a wonderful sense of humour which endeared him to those around him, and said he was a private man.

"He was a soldier's soldier and a true professional. He was immensely talented and a true leader of men," Mr Abeledo added.

He spoke of the officer's quiet religious faith, his peace in his own company and his love for those close to him.

Describing the officer as a "good and great man", the minister said: "He is a man whose influence and work will continue to live in our lives and in our memories.
"This world will be more empty and lonely without him. We do miss him, we will miss him."

Lieutenant Colonel AJ Fitzpatrick told the service of Capt Barrie's love of his friends, football and music.

He said: "How do I tell you about a man who meant so much to so many? He wasn't an angel, he wasn't Mr Perfect, but he tried his damnedest at everything he did."

He recalled anecdotes from the officer's personal and working life, and spoke of his close family relationships.

"Who knows where Walter would have ended up had he not met his salvation in Sonia?" he said. "After meeting Sonia, Walter never looked back. Soon the team of two became three and Callum arrived in 1997. The family was complete. Sonia had her boys and doted upon them. Walter had his princess.

"Walter was a loving father and husband, and always spoke of his son with pride and with a smile on his face. They were a team."

He said Capt Barrie was happy when in his uniform and making his men realise the potential they had. He went on: "His chat and banter was legendary and many commented on his cheery disposition. The Monty Python song Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life could have been his anthem. His ability to put everyone at ease with his jovial manner and cheery smile was infectious."

Another tribute to Capt Barrie, in the order of service handed to mourners, described the officer as a "magnificent soldier and comrade".

"Always supported by his wife, Sonia, Walter was the consummate professional," it said.

"In short, Walter was a fantastic and professional soldier, who epitomised the very best of the RHF (Royal Highland Fusiliers) and, later, the Royal Regiment of Scotland. His loss has been felt across the regiment and the wider Army, and has left a gap that can never be filled."

Speaking before the service, Major Norrie MacKinnon, from 1 Scots, said: "Today, the Royal Regiment of Scotland family, and in particular 1 Scots, will acknowledge the life of a very special officer.

"There are people in this world who seem to be larger than life. These people don't seem to get overwhelmed, angry or tired - somehow they keep their sense of humour, regardless of the circumstances.

"It is their energy, driving force and strength that make them special, and Captain Walter Barrie was one of those people.

"Every member of my battalion currently deployed in Afghanistan will want to be at Glencorse Parish Kirk today to say their farewell and salute a true Scottish hero.

"But we also know that Walter would want nothing more than for his comrades to remain steadfast and at their post doing the job and the mission they were sent to do.

"Walter was a true professional, leaving a benchmark for us all, a standard to which we all aspire."

News of the soldier's killing came after the Queen led the nation in honouring the fallen, as the country fell silent to remember its war dead.

Capt Barrie's body was flown into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire earlier this month, where the Union flag-draped coffin was carried from the plane with full military honours.

The killing took the total number of UK service members to have lost their lives since operations began in Afghanistan in October 2001 to 438.

The "green-on-blue" death brought the number of British servicemen killed by Afghan soldiers or police to 14 this year, compared with one in 2011, three in 2010 and five in 2009.

At least 54 international troops have died as a result of such attacks, where Afghans turn their weapons on their coalition colleagues.