The mother of a Fife soldier who died while serving in The Black Watch in Afghanistan described a dedication service held in Dunfermline on Monday as “emotional” and “poignant”.
Corporal Thomas ‘Tam’ Mason died on October 25, 2009, and Linda Buchanan told The Courier she thinks about her son last thing at night and every morning when she wakes.
His name was added to the war memorial in Dunfermline as his family and members of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, looked on.
Cpl Mason, originally from Bellshill in Glasgow but raised in Rosyth, was 27 when he was critically injured while on an operation in the Kandahar province when an improvised explosive device detonated in September 2009. He died in Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, the following month.
Mrs Buchanan said the service of dedication was “very emotional” and spoke of the pride her son had while serving in The Black Watch.
“Tam died doing the job he loved he was proud to serve with The Black Watch regiment and would have seen it as a great honour to die whilst being in them,” she said. “However, I have lost my son forever I miss him so much.
“I think about him last thing at night and first thing in the morning. It’s not natural for parents to bury their sons. This service was very poignant but we don’t want to see any more names added to this war memorial.”
Mrs Buchanan also spoke of the “family” of The Black Watch and how her son inspired younger members of the regiment.
“It was nice to see the older members of The Black Watch here today,” she added. “They are like a family and it was the same when we had the homecoming parade in Perth you see the same faces. Tam had told me The Black Watch are different from other regiments he said they are like a big family.
“He was very motivated and challenged and well respected. He helped the younger soldiers in their martial arts training.”
The Rev Seoras Mackenzie, padre to The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at Fort George, conducted the service and said Cpl Mason was one of those soldiers who “put his life on the line.”
Cpl Mason’s widow, Kylie, also attended the service.
A plaque was unveiled in his memory at his former school, Dunfermline High School, in June last year.