A CLOUD hangs over the village of Bampton this morning.

The Union flag flies at half-mast, and the church bells did not ring out this weekend.

Flowers are laid at a war memorial in the village square.

And tears flow behind closed doors.

The reason is simple. The village has lost a son.

Jason Mackie was taken from his family at just 21 years of age.

Jason, a Royal Marine, was killed by an explosive device in Afghanistan on Thursday.

His loss sent shivers across the West Oxfordshire village, where he had played such an active part in local life. Friends remember him as a popular, sports-mad youngster.

His cricket team remembers him as a talented cricketer.

Everyone feels a huge sense of loss at his passing – but pride at what he had achieved in such a short life. In just two years in the Royal Marines he had made a name for himself as a man dedicated to his work and his colleagues.

Not only that – despite the rigours of a six month tour of duty, he was also always at the centre of any joke or prank.

Bravery obviously came easy to Jason. At just 17 he leapt out of a plane to help raise funds for his grandmother to battle cancer.

Now his family will need to show that same streak of courage as they try to come to terms with loss.

One thing is certain — their friends and neighbours are there for them.