The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Memorial follows in footsteps of marathon tragedy commando
TRIBUTE: Stone honours life and achievements of David after death in London run
A memorial stone has been laid in memory of Captain David Seath at the Spean Bridge commando monument.
The 31-year-old tragically collapsed and died while running the 2016 London Marathon for the Help for Heroes charity.
His Brother, Gary, founder of the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund, said it had been an honour to witness the unveiling of the stone dedicated to westFifer David’s memory at the site of such historical significance for the Commandos.
The monument was built to commemorate members who died in the Second World War and is only a few miles from Achnacary Castle where the Commando Basic Training Centre was set up in 1942.
An area of remembrance was created near the monument and it is here where ashes have been placed and memorials installed over the years.
“As an officer of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, David was incredibly proud to have completed the all arms commando course and earn his coveted green beret, which has been worn so proudly since the first generation of commandos who trained in the Spean Bridge region during World War Two,” Gary said.
He thanked David’s close friends, Ian Bertrand of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, as well as Carlos Hamlet and Matt Burton from 105 Regiment Royal Artillery, for making this “wonderful” memorial project happen.
Since being set up, the fund has tirelessly raised money to support army veterans and personnel who are living with physical and psychological trauma.
One of the fundraising events is the run in Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline.
Held on the same day as the London Marathon, the 5km distance symbolises
“Wonderful act of solidarity and testament to the warmth and generosity of the British public
the 3.2 miles that David did not finish.
This year there was added poignancy for David’s family in Fife when it emerged that MasterChef contestant Matt Campbell had died while running the famous route for charity.
David’s brother Gary said: “I wish to express my sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Matt Campbell, whom I hope take great strength in the knowledge that hundreds, if not thousands, of runners will take to the streets, parks and running tracks across the UK to finish the 3.7 miles Matt so tragically could not complete and raise funds for the charity which supported his late father.
“It’s a wonderful act of solidarity and testament to the warmth and generosity of the British public.”