The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Final salute for Brechin teen killed by IRA bomb
Sister of Black Watch soldier finds closure 40 years on from tragic tour of duty
A sister has said a final goodbye to her brother, 40 years after he was killed in an IRA bomb blast.
Private Mark Carnie from Brechin was killed just six weeks from finishing his first tour of duty in Northern Ireland in 1978.
The soldier was just 18 when he died after a bomb that had been built into a wall was remotely detonated as his foot patrol passed by in Dungannon.
Four decades on, a memorial service was held at Mr Carnie’s grave in Brechin on Saturday and attended by his sister Rhonna Hampton.
The mum-of-two was heavily pregnant with her first child at the time and was kept at the back of the funeral by her own mother in 1978 because of concerns for her health.
She said the weekend’s event had given her a sense of closure.
“It doesn’t seem like 40 years ago he was killed — there are times when it feels just like yesterday,” she said.
“I do wish I had been at the graveside 40 years ago but I don’t know how I would have handled it.
“Today has allowed me the opportunity to say a final goodbye and the chance of closure.
“He died doing something he loved but that doesn’t make it any more difficult.”
Mr Carnie was always keen to join the army and enlisted in the boys’ service when he left Brechin High School at 16.
He went first to the Bridge of Don Barracks in Aberdeen and then to Kirknewton.
The Black Watch soldier was attached to the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders at the time of his death on a tour of duty in North Armagh.
His former patrol commander Steven Wilson lives in Wales and wanted to see his grave in Brechin.
He started making plans to visit and the trip blossomed into a full ceremony and mini-parade.
Mrs Hampton said it meant a lot to know that her brother was still remembered so fondly.
“My mum and dad were fun-loving parents before this happened and it changed them,” she said.
“Family gatherings are the most difficult. I often wonder if Mark would be married with children if things were different.
“I knew the armed forces was like a family but I didn’t realise just how strong it was until today.
“I think it’s wonderful that Mark’s memory still lives on among his comrades.”
Among those paying their respects was Bobby Costello from Dundee, who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders alongside Mr Carnie in 1978.
Mr Costello said the ceremony was a “fitting tribute for a hero”.
He said: “We all want to pay our respects and it’s an opportunity to let Rhonna know that Mark isn’t forgotten. We remember these guys on a daily basis.
“When a comrade is killed in action it hurts like hell but you have to carry on serving.
“Today gives everyone a chance to say goodbye.”
Brechin and Edzell Conservative councillor Gavin Nicol said: “It has been a privilege to help organise this event.”
The ceremony was conducted by John Bergen, a local minister in Brechin.