The Black Watch soldier who died on Sunday as a result of his injuries in Afghanistan was from Fife.
Corporal Thomas Mason - who was born in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire before he was brought up in Rosyth - died in the Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham after he was injured by an improvised explosive device in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan on September 15, 2009.
Corporal Mason, who was known as Tam, was a member of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS).
The 27-year-old joined the army in February 2005. He served in Afghanistan in 2006 before he returned to study to become a Mortar Fire Controller. He deployed again to Afghanistan in March this year.
Following his death, Corporal Mason's wife Kylie Mason said: "I have thought long and hard to find the right words to describe how Tam was and what he meant to me. But there are no words in the world that would even come close to describe what a great husband Tam was. He was the most genuine and kindest man I have ever known.
"He was my best friend and my wonderful husband. I am distraught that this has happened and still finding it extremely difficult to come to terms with the fact that I have lost my honey.
"I am also aware what a great soldier Tam was and how passionate he was about his job. The reason he loved his job so much was he had such fantastic friends in the Army who are equally as courageous as Tam was.
"I know that I had struck gold with him and even though I am devastated and hurt that he has been taken from me I value and greatly appreciate the time we had together and will cherish these memories forever."
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright, Commanding Officer 3 SCOTS, added: "Corporal Tam Mason was a highly motivated and exceptional junior non-commissioned officer who had only been in the Army for four years.
"A late joiner to Service life, his experience and maturity allowed him to be promoted twice in quick succession, evidence of the talent of the man and the dedication he gave to his vocation.
"He had set his heart on Special Forces selection next year and no-one would have bet against him reaching his ultimate goal. He was an immensely popular and modest man and he will be sorely, sorely missed. He has given his life in the service of his friends in the Battalion, for the Royal Regiment of Scotland, his country, and the people of Afghanistan.
Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth MP, said: "It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Corporal Tam Mason, after his long fight for life at Selly Oak.
"It is clear that he was an exceptionally talented Junior NCO who had earned the utmost respect both of the soldiers he led and the officers he reported to. My thoughts are with Corporal Mason's wife and family at this very difficult time."
