Tributes were recently paid to a former British soldier from Hill of Beath, who was tragically killed in Iraq 20 years ago.

27-year-old Kevin McHale served in the Black Watch regiment for five years before the fatal road traffic incident which caused his death on 29 October 2004.

On Tuesday, the Dunfermline and District Scottish Pipes and Drums marched to his mother's house in the village’s Allan Park along with the Fife branch of the Black Watch Association.

Kevin’s mother Betty McHale said: “It was nice, but also hard and emotional. We all get upset, but it really hits this time of year.”

Discussing her son’s character as a youngster, she said: “He was a happy go lucky boy who really liked to fish and do pranks. When we used to go on holiday to Ireland he’d go fishing with his dad and his grandad.

“His grandad didn’t like worms, so Kevin would put them in the back of his hood and in his pockets. Then when he found out that the boys next door didn’t like spiders, he decided to put spiders on the bed. He was a prankster, that’s for sure.

“For some unknown reason, the military was the career he wanted. We didn’t want him to go, but he did it and he really liked going to different places all over the world.

“He told us that in the army they had good and bad times, and that the boys really looked after each other. He seemed to get along well with everybody.”

Cousin Ian Robins backed this sentiment up when he said: “You’d struggle to find someone in the Black Watch who doesn’t know Kevin McHale.”

Recalling the moment she was informed of Kevin’s death, Mrs McHale said: “When they came and chapped on the front door, I thought they were Jehovah’s witnesses or something like that. I opened the door, and I said, ‘I’m sorry but I’ve got my own religion’ and shut it again.

“Then I went back, and they had their army passes. They came in and said we have bad news, then told us what happened.

“We already knew that somebody had been killed, and his father Michael said, ‘that never should have happened.’

“None of us took it very well. We had meetings with the military and Michael said, ‘I don’t want money, I want my son.’”

Kevin’s funeral was attended by family, community members and Black Watch soldiers. Mrs McHale said: “It really was a big turnout. The army had put busses on for all the soldiers, who went to the service and the Chapel.

“When it was time for them to go back to the base my husband said, ‘wait a minute’, put three crates of beer on the bus, and then said, ‘have some when you get back since you couldn’t here.’

“The community has been really great since.”

But tragedy struck soon after, as Kevin’s childhood friend “Gee” took his own life shortly after the funeral. Mrs McHale said: “It was so soon after Kevin, and we all wondered how many more losses there could be.”

“Then Kevin’s dad died. It’ll be ten years ago in December. He just couldn’t accept Kevin wasn’t here.”

“20 years have gone by in a flash, and I’m still so proud of Kevin.”

Kevin is fondly remembered by his younger brother Barry, and older brother Michael.