TO see Gordon Clapp looking over the grave of his son Jamie is heartbreaking.

Like any dad he loved his son and did not want to stand in his way.

That is why he agreed to Jamie going for a flight in a light aircraft that fateful afternoon.

Jamie should have returned a few hours later full of excitement about his experience.

It should have been a weekend adventure to tell his friends about – nothing more.

What happened was a tragedy.

Jamie died because of the actions of an irresponsible pilot who flew with the residue of drugs still pulsing through his veins.

It was something Mr Clapp could never have envisaged.

Now he is left to try to come to terms with the loss of his lad.

Anything associated with Jamie is hugely important to him.

And naturally he wants to preserve Jamie's memory.

The most tangible way he can do that is put up a headstone on Jamie's grave.

The insurance money could have helped to pay for that. But Mr Clapp has pretty much given up hoping that he will receive any.

It has become a fruitless and seemingly pointless battle with an insurance firm in another land.

So he is devoting his energies instead to ensuring Jamie has a headstone on his grave – a final offering to the boy he loves.

For it is the final place on earth where he can go to be close to Jamie.

And for that reason hopefully people will come forward with offers of help.

For a headstone is more than decoration.

It will give Jamie's grave an identity and ensure his name is remembered.