Rifleman Mark Turner’s family to pay tribute in annual memorial event

Jun 2 2010 by Tom Mullen, The Journal

THE family and friends of a North East soldier killed while searching for roadside bombs in Afghanistan will pay tribute to him with an annual memorial event.

Rifleman Mark Turner saved many lives during his work in what has become widely known as “the most dangerous job in the British Army”.

The soldier, of Sheriff Hill, Gateshead, was responsible for discovering the improvised explosive devices that have become symbolic of the conflict in war-torn Helmand Province.

The 21-year-old, of the Third Battalion, The Rifles, was responsible for saving the lives of more than 30 comrades, earning him praise from top brass and Cabinet ministers.

Yet it was to be the job that would ultimately claim his own life, as he fell victim to one of the very booby traps he tried to seek out.

Last night Rfn Turner’s family, still reeling from their loss, spoke out for the first time and paid tribute as plans were made for an annual Mark Turner Memorial Day in Gateshead.

The soldier’s family also called for British forces to be brought home, with his mother Anne fearing “hundreds more will be killed”.

Anne held back tears as she told how Mark had hidden details of his job from the family.

She said: “He didn’t tell me what he was doing so it wouldn’t worry me. He only told me when he was on leave in February for two weeks.” Rfn Turner also leaves stepfather Joe, brother David, 31, sisters Joanne, 24, Julie, 28, and Lisa, 27, and, and nine nieces and nephews, the eldest being nine-year-old Michael, who Anne says was “like a brother” to Mark.

He and fiancee Liesha had been together for three years and were planning to marry.

Christine and Tony Lansdown, who run the Gardeners Arms pub on Carr Hill Road, close to the Turners’ home, are spearheading plans for the annual charity event.

The first Mark Turner Memorial Day is on June 19 at Carr Hill Park and will feature inflatables, paintballing, burger vans, six-a-side football, a raffle, bands and other attractions.

The Turners and their friends are also campaigning for a new war memorial, funded by the memorial day, to be placed in central Gateshead. The council-backed event will also raise money for Help for Heroes.

While the Turners say they support the soldiers, they criticised the war in Afghanistan and believe Rfn Turner was not given enough training for such a dangerous job.

Anne said: “He only trained for about four to six weeks. You’d think it would’ve been a year or so. They didn’t have enough equipment. He said he knew what he was doing and wasn’t bothered himself, but he was only 21 and just a kid.”

Volunteers are invited to help with the memorial day and football teams are needed for an under-11s six-a-side football tournament.

For more information contact Christine or Tony at the Gardeners Arms on 0191 477 7678.