The mother of a Scottish soldier who died weeks after being wounded in Afghanistan remembered yesterday her “brave” son as “the best there ever was”.
Corporal Thomas Mason, known as Tam, from Fife, was caught by an improvised explosive device in Kandahar province on September 15.
The 27-year-old, from the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, died in Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham on October 25.
More than 300 mourners packed into Trinity Parish Church at Cowdenbeath for his funeral yesterday. During the service, the Rev Nicola Trail read a tribute written by his mother, Linda Buchanan.
In it, she spoke of her unending love for her son and said: “You are the best there ever was, Tam – brave soldier, son, good friend.
“And I know in time the pain we feel from losing you will end. So we will struggle by without you, without your laugh, your smile.
“I know we’ll meet again, Tam, even if it takes a while.
“You were many things to many people, Tam – grandson, husband, friend, best brother.
“But, to me, Tam, you were everything and I’ll always be your mother.”
Mrs Buchanan was joined by Cpl Mason's 21-year-old wife, Kylie, and a large number of family members at yesterday’s service.
They listened to glowing tributes from Cpl Mason’s platoon commander and one of his closest friends.
Corporal Jamie Steele, a friend of the late soldier over the past 15 years, praised the “true hero” and said he would never be forgotten.
Cpl Steele recounted the pranks the pair played during their time at Dunfermline High School. He described how their friendship re-ignited when Tam decided to join the Army.
He said: “It is these fond memories of Tam that will live with me forever – the prankster, the joy, the friend.
“It was fantastic to have met up with Tam after being so close friends at school and losing touch when we went our separate ways. And here we are separated again, but I feel his presence.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Kylie, his mum and family at this difficult time.
“We will all miss you Tam, a true hero, gone but never forgotten.”
Captain David Mack, mortar platoon commander with the Black Watch, said Cpl Mason quickly showed his potential and natural ability after joining the Army in 2005.
“He was an ambitious man, he was calm and mature, and he possessed real potential,” said Capt Mack.
He described Cpl Mason as “utterly professional” during the recent tour in Afghanistan. “The man was a hero.”
And he praised Cpl Mason’s other qualities, including his modesty, good humour and positive outlook.
He said: “Corporal Tam Mason was everything an officer could ask for in a soldier.”
The congregation sang hymns and Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright, the commanding officer of the Black Watch, gave a reading from the Psalms.
Speaking about Cpl Mason before the ceremony, he said: “My first thoughts are for his wife and to his family for their most tragic loss.”
The service was followed by burial at Douglas Bank Cemetery. The haunting sound of the Last Post and shots from a firing party rang out as the coffin was lowered into the ground.