Family’s tribute to hero marine

Nov 29 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal

TRIBUTES have been paid to a North East Royal Marine who was one of two killed while on patrol in Afghanistan.

Tony Evans and Georgie Sparks, of 42 Commando Royal Marines, were taking part in a foot patrol north-west of the town of Lashkar Gah in the southern area of the Helmand Province when they came under sustained enemy fire.

They were attacked with rocket-propelled grenades while on the roof of a building, and died from their injuries while being flown back to Camp Bastion by helicopter.

Marine Evans, from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, joined 42 Commando after completing his training in July last year.

The 20-year-old’s parents, Tony Evans and Julia Churchill, paid tribute to him, saying: “Tony was the type of person who would do anything to help his friends and family and was well respected by all.

“The Royal Marines was his life since the age of 13 when he became a Royal Marines cadet. We, his family, are very proud of what he achieved and will miss him dearly.”

Major Reggie Turner, the officer commanding the men’s company, said Marine Evans lost his life providing covering fire for his comrades.

“Marine Tony Evans was one of the biggest characters in J Company,” he said.

“Fit, determined and tenacious with an infectious sense of humour, he could be relied upon to raise morale in the harshest of conditions. Physically strong with an evident passion for his job, Marine Evans was always at the forefront of the action.

“We will miss his irrepressible good humour, his companionship and his evident lust for life. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

His comrades in J Company spoke of his enthusiasm, good humour and larger-than-life personality.

Marine Dave Wotherspoon said: “There is nothing about his job that Tony didn’t love, whether it was going on patrol, sitting in a sangar (sentry post) or cracking funnies with the boys.

“Inside was the heart of a lion.”

Marine Sparks won the coveted Commando Medal during training and his fellow Marines said he was hard-working and professional.

Lieut Col Charlie Stickland, Royal Marines, 42 Commando’s commanding officer, said he was a man who excelled at his job.

“Marine Georgie Sparks was a quiet, understated professional,” Lt-Col Stickland said.

“He lost his life fighting shoulder-to- shoulder with his comrades, covering their actions with his expert sniper skills.

“His loss has touched the entire unit but no more so than the tight band of warriors that are the J Company ‘Jesters’.

“The brotherhood of 42 Commando Royal Marines mourn him and remain resolute his loss will not be in vain.”

The Marines’ death came just three days after another Marine, Alexander Lucas, 24, from Arbroath-based 45 Commando, was killed by a roadside bomb in the Kajaki area of Helmand.

On November 12 two other Marines, Robert McKibben and Neil Dunstan, died during a patrol in Garmsir district of Southern Helmand. Their vehicle was hit by an explosive device as they patrolled with Afghan security forces.

Thursday’s deaths bring the total number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 to 128.