Lieutenant Colonel Gary Tait Laid To Rest

Lieutenant Colonel Gary Tait MBE was laid to rest on Wednesday, having lost his battle with cancer on Monday 17 June 2019.

A military funeral service was held at Canongate Kirk, the Regimental church of the Royal Regimental of Scotland, on Edinburgh's Royal Mile.

In a 36-year career, Gary served in five of the seven battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and became one of the few soldiers who go from Private to Lieutenant Colonel. 

He joined the Army straight from school in 1983, serving first as a Royal Scot and then with the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

He was quickly promoted through the ranks and he was commissioned to Officer before he had even had the chance to be the Regimental Sergeant Major.

A distinguished instructor training recruits in Glencorse Barracks and young officers at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, he left his mark across all parts of the British Army.

Watch: Colonel Graeme Wearmouth says "it was a privilege to know Gary".

Speaking to BFBS Radio after the service, Colonel Graeme Wearmouth paid tribute to Lt Col Tait.

"Gary was a friend and a colleague, a legend. He was a mentor to all... It was a privilege to know him."

"He rose from the rank of Private to Lieutenant Colonel with an MBE behind his name and a number of other awards," he added.

Lt Col Tait was also a director of BFBS Scotland. Former colleagues said his support and passion for BFBS along with his friendship will be hugely missed.