Mother speaks of her hero soldier

Cpl Mason was injured by an improvised device in Kandahar

The mother of a soldier who died from the wounds he received while on service in Afghanistan has said he will always be a hero.

Linda Buchanan's comments came after the funeral of her 27-year-old son, Corporal Thomas Mason, known as Tam.

The soldier from Fife was caught by an improvised explosive device in Kandahar Province on 15 September 2009.

Cpl Mason was flown back to the UK but died at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham on 25 October.

His funeral took place at Trinity Parish Church in Cowdenbeath, Fife, followed by a burial at Douglas Bank Cemetery.

Cpl Mason's funeral took place at Trinity Parish Church in Fife

In a statement, Mrs Buchanan and Tam's stepfather Charlie Buchanan said the family had gone through the "most traumatic and difficult" time.

They said: "Tam died as a result of doing the job he loved, a job he was proud and honoured to do.

"To us he always has been and always will be a hero."

The family also paid tribute to The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland for their "tributes to Tam and for the reverence they showed while laying their brother to rest".

They gave special thanks to Sergeant Major Dougie Graham and Captain Lorne Campbell for helping them through their "devastating journey".

Cpl Mason was born in Lanarkshire, and raised in Rosyth in Fife.

His wife, Kylie, said last week that she had lost her best friend and wonderful husband

She added: "I am distraught that this has happened and am still finding it extremely difficult to come to terms with the fact that I have lost my honey."