MoD name soldier who died at RAF Tain
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A SOLDIER who died after being shot during a training exercise at a Highland military base on Tuesday has been named as Lance-Corporal Joe Spencer.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed his identity this morning, saying he was a member of 3rd Battalion The Rifles who are based at Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh and recruit largely in Yorkshire and the north-east of England.
They later confirmed he was 24 years old and from Hampshire.
He had joined the Army in February 2011 and had been on tour in Afghanistan as well as on exercise in Kenya and the USA.
Defence Minister Mark Lancaster said: “It is with deep sadness that I can confirm that Lance Corporal Joe Spencer from 3rd Battalion The Rifles died at RAF Tain on Tuesday.
“My thoughts are with Joe’s family, friends and colleagues at this terrible time.
“We are co-operating with the police investigation and looking into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.”
Around 30 police officers are now understood to be investigating what has been described as “a contained incident.”
It is understood the lance-corporal was part of a group of more than 20 military personnel taking part in a day-long firing exercise at Tain.
