Published: Thursday, 24th June, 2010 7:15am

Grieving family set to launch charity in memory of fallen soldier

THE heartbroken family of a fallen West Fife soldier fatally injured in Afghanistan want to keep his memory alive by launching a charity in his honour.

Family and friends of Black Watch Corporal Tam Mason gathered as Dunfermline High School paid tribute to their former pupil, who made the ultimate sacrifice serving his country.

Corporal Tam Mason, brought up in Rosyth, was only 27 when he was injured by an improvised explosive device detonated in Kandahar province on 15th September last year.

He lost his legs and suffered serious internal injuries but clung on to life bravely at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, until 25th October.

On Monday, Dunfermline High unveiled a plaque dedicated in Tam's memory at a commemorative service involving family and Black Watch colleagues.

Tam's tearful mother, Linda Buchanan (pictured), spoke to the Press after the moving ceremony, led by Padre David Anderson of the Black Watch.

Linda, of Main Street, Kelty, said, "It's been a very emotional day but also very proud. I felt the tears coming when I saw the plaque as I knew Tam would be so pleased.

"It's beautiful to see but the very fact that we're doing this because he's not here any more is very difficult.

"It's a long, long journey that we're on, it's only been eight months and we're still struggling to come to terms with the fact that he's not here.

"We still talk about him all the time and try and support each other as a family but it's still so very hard to think that we won't ever see him again."

Tam's family hope to launch the Tam Mason Foundation, dedicated to raising money for one of his greatest passions in life, sport, for kids in the Rosyth area.

"We are starting the charity as sport was a great thing for Tam.

"He had a great passion for the martial art, spirit combat, where he was a sensei, and loved to teach the kids," added Linda.

"He always said that sport was what drove him on and that definitely had a big part to play in his army life as well.

"This plaque and the charity show that Tam will never ever be forgotten. It really means so much to us."

Rector Brian Blachflower said Tam's name would forever stand next to plaques the school already had for those who had fallen in the first and second world wars.

In a moving verse she composed herself, Linda described her everlasting devotion to her "wonderful son".

She said, "We will always remember the things that you've done, the qualities that made you a wonderful son. The determination and your great sense of fun, the way you inspired everyone. Your family and friends will never forget, all the love we had for you and the respect. Your time here was shorter than anyone knew, when heaven needed a hero, why was it you?"

Tam's sister, Lindsay-Ann, said, "The memories of Tam are still so strong, I will always remember the childhood we shared and, even when he went in the army, we were still close and I would see him all the time when he came home on leave.

"Even just seeing photos of him is still very emotional for me."

Tam, who is also survived by sister Kelly and wife Kylie, went to King's Road Primary and Dunfermline High. He had jobs at Lexmark and the Wincanton depot at Pitreavie before joining the army in 2005.