The mother of a Fife soldier who died in battle-scarred Iraq has told The Courier of her “immense pride” after Prince Edward presented her with the Elizabeth Cross.
Christine Morgan was left devastated when her son Marc Ferns died on the streets of Basra in 2004.
The 21-year-old Black Watch Private was driving an armoured vehicle when a home-made bomb was detonated.
Pte Ferns, from Glenrothes, was on a routine exercise at the time and had been escorting fellow British soldiers on patrol.
His tragic death was remembered in Perth as the Earl of Wessex handed Mrs Morgan the Elizabeth Cross, which is given to grieving relatives of the nation’s war dead.
She admitted it was day of mixed emotions.
“I am immensely proud of Marc,” said Mrs Morgan.
“Receiving this medal on his behalf is not an easy thing to do but our family will treasure it.”
Mrs Morgan admitted the pain of bereavement had not eased, but said Marc had died doing the job he was passionate about.
“He loved the army and loved his life but in the end paid the ultimate price,” she continued.
“This is a sad but proud day which commemorates his loss.”
When Pte Ferns died he left behind a baby daughter, Amy.
She is now seven and Mrs Morgan said the Elizabeth Cross would help to ensure she never forgets the fact that her daddy died a hero.
“We will pass this medal on to Marc’s daughter when she gets older,” she said.
“We have put aside a number of items for her and hopefully they will mean a lot to her.”
The Royal appointment was a poignant one for Pte Fern’s family.
“Prince Edward said he was very pleased to award the Elizabeth Cross to me,” Mrs Morgan said.
“He also said it was sad that he had to meet us under such circumstances.”
George and Eleanor Hind from Dundee also accepted the Elizabeth Cross awarded to Lance Corporal David Hind, of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, who died on January 2, 1977, in Northern Ireland.
Margaret Donkin, mother of Private Robert Donkin who died in Kosovo in 2001, also received the Elizabeth Cross.
The ceremony came at the conclusion of a mass armed forces day parade in Perth.