Rifleman Mark Turner killed in Afghanistan

Rifleman Turner was killed as a result of an explosion that happened while he was on a foot patrol against insurgents near Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge, in the Kajaki area of Helmand Province.

Rifleman Mark Turner

Rifleman Mark Turner was born on 11 October 1988. He grew up in Gateshead and was educated at Thomas Hepburn Community School and then went to work as a panel beater before joining the Army.

Rifleman Turner joined the Army in January 2006 at the age of eighteen, completing phase one training before joining Second Battalion the Light Infantry in the summer of 2006. Rifleman Turner was a trained Assault Pioneer and Team Medic and had been on several overseas exercises including Kenya and Belize. He had already been on one previous tour of duty in Afghanistan from September 2006 to April 2007 during which he was injured in a road traffic accident.

Rifleman Turner was killed on 04 April 2010 when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was patrolling with his platoon to the north of Kajaki, in Helmand, Afghanistan. He leaves behind his family and fiancée.

Rifleman Turner's family made the following statement:

"Mark was a proper Mammy's boy described by his loving family as being daft as a brush'. He was a fanatical supporter of Newcastle United who looked forward to their imminent return to the Premier League, boasting about the fact that he had managed to watch the recent match against Nottingham Forest whilst out in Afghanistan.

"Mark loved to play poker and he also enjoyed listening to all types of music, having a distinct like of Dean Martin songs. He loved his food and regularly took up his passion of devouring cheese pizzas; however in food terms, nothing could surpass his desire of yellow Telly Tubby biscuits, sent out to him by his family.

"His fiancée said that he always insisted on perfection and referred to their affection when Mark said they were both like peas and carrots'. Mark will be dearly missed by his mother Anne, fiancée Liesha, stepfather Joe, brother David and three sisters Lisa, Joanne and Julie."

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, Commanding Officer 3 RIFLES Battle Group said:

"Rifleman Mark Turner was a remarkable young man who took in his stride the toughest and most dangerous job available here in Afghanistan. Daily he took responsibility for the lives of his friends by putting himself out in front and clearing the ground of the deadly devices left by insurgents with nothing to call on but a metal detector and his own instincts. It typifies the selfless can-do, the unflinching get-on-with-the-job attitude of our Riflemen to see young men such as he carrying out this task willingly, without thought for their own safety, merely for that of their friends and comrades.

"Rifleman Turner was a much loved and respected member of his Company and of this Battle Group. His conduct and talents were nothing short of exemplary and he was blessed with a smile and a joke for every occasion. The kind of stoicism, humour and determination he showed on a daily basis is something of which our nation can be very proud. He has made an invaluable contribution to the marked achievements of his Company around the strategically crucial area of the Kajaki Dam in the very north of Helmand.

"Rifleman Turned died doing a job he loved and for which he had a prolific talent. His brothers in arms will miss both the security and confidence he provided and the warmth of his wit and friendship. His loss is a tragedy and is felt most keenly by all in the Battle Group. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his fiancée Leisha at this terrible time. We know that they will remember him as we do; as an exceptional soldier and a loving, loyal friend."

Major Mike Lynch, Officer Commanding C Company, 3 RIFLES said:

"Rifleman Turner, Turtle to his mates, was one of the bravest men I have ever had the pleasure of working alongside. He had an inner bravery which made it even more humbling. He epitomised everything you could ever ask for in a Rifleman: selfless, warm hearted, and extremely professional.

"Quiet and unassuming by nature, he always led from the front clearing safe routes on every patrol. From the outset he proved himself to be exceptionally thorough spending painstakingly long periods of time lying on the ground finding countless IEDs by intuition alone.

"I am in no doubt that he saved the lives of many of his fellow Riflemen his mental and physical endurance were truly remarkable. We all felt completely safe and confident following his cleared routes because he was so meticulous and methodical. He never sought recognition for this tough job; he never grumbled or complained, he just got on with the job at hand with dogged determination and a complete disregard for his own safety.

"On more than one occasion Rifleman Turner cleared safe routes, whilst under fire, knowing full well that he was putting his life in danger in order to secure a safe route into cover for his comrades a true testament to his courage which never faltered.

"His cheeky grin and sense of humour were infectious even after long and demanding patrols. Everyone wanted to be his friend and he was always surrounded by fellow Riflemen: it would be very rare to see him on his own. His short term aspiration was to become a JNCO by the end of the year and I have no doubt that he would have made a first class NCO and an excellent role model for the young Riflemen.

"He died saving the lives of his comrades. We will all miss him dearly and the only thing left to say is thank you Rifleman Turner for keeping us safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and fiancée at this difficult time."

Lieutenant Will Melia, 9 Platoon Commander, C Company 3 RIFLES said:

"I first met Rifleman Mark "Turtle" Turner while I was still in officer training, a fact that he would never let me forget, claiming that the only reason that I ever made it into the Army was because he carried all my kit and wrote all my orders. Turtle represented all that is good about soldiers in the Rifles. He was selfless, resolute and courageous and, at the same time, remained a funny, cheeky young man with a mischievous sense of humour. It was a rare occurrence to see Turtle without a grin on his face and he was one of the most popular Riflemen in the Company.

"This was Rifleman Turner's second tour of Afghanistan, having been seriously injured during his first. It is a testament to his strength of character that he returned so willingly. Rifleman Turner was not fearless; he knew fear yet chose to overcome it, and in doing so is the bravest individual I have ever had the pleasure of serving with.

"He knew that he was putting himself into harm's way by leading patrols and searching for IEDs, but he continued to do so, proud in the knowledge that he was keeping his mates safe. On one occasion, under sustained heavy enemy fire, Rifleman Turner put himself directly into the line of fire in order to clear a bunker for his fellow Riflemen to occupy. Acts such as this epitomised Turtle; a man who was always looking out for his friends, always putting their safety before his own.

"Rifleman Turner was exceptionally good at his job and every man in my Platoon, myself included, is keenly aware that it is due to his hard work and dedication that we are still alive today. On the day of his death, Turtle had already found one device and was clearing his comrades into a position of cover when a second IED struck. Rifleman Turner was one of the stars of my platoon and, on returning from Afghanistan, was due to attend a JNCO cadre, and I have no reservations in predicting that he would have made an excellent leader of men.

"Turtle had three loves in life: his family, his fiancée Liesha and his beloved Newcastle United. He was probably most vocal about the third of these and was often to be found in the small hours of the morning in the cook house following the Magpies' charge for promotion. It is not an exaggeration to say that Turtle was the most liked member of the platoon, a close friend to all, with never a bad word said against him, and to have him torn from us so late in the tour has been heart-wrenching.

"My thoughts are with Liesha and his family in this time of bereavement and I offer my heartfelt condolences. Rifleman Turner was an outstanding soldier and a terrific young man. I cannot stress enough how sorely he will be missed by his platoon. "

Lieutenant Robert Fellows, 7 Platoon Commander, C Company said:

"Rifleman Turner was a popular and respectable member of C Company. In the words of the men he was pure morale' and could always be counted on to lift spirits with a joke or a prank.

"With the Company split up I had not seen turtle for many months but have fond memories of him.

"The thoughts of the whole platoon are with our brother Rifleman in 9 Platoon, his family, friends and loved ones."

Warrant Officer Class 2 Steve Watts, Company Serjeant (Note - Serjeant in the Rifles Regiment is spelt with a j) Major, C Company, 3 RIFLES said:

"When I look back on this tour there will be one group of people that will standout above all that took part, BARMA Men. In Kajaki there was one real legend when it came to BARMA, Rifleman Mark Turner or "Turtle" as the lads knew him. Rifleman Turner was the epitome of a Rifleman, cheeky, fit and robust and above all brave. Moments before he died he had found an IED, which he did regularly, saving countless lives throughout the tour in the process.

"He had found more IEDs than any other BARMA man in Kajaki during the tour. Turtle had been injured before on a previous OP HERRICK in a road traffic accident, and had come back to Afghanistan recovered and raring to go.

"As one of the old sweats he was a real example to the younger Riflemen. In barracks he was never in trouble, always well dressed and on time, making him as unique in barracks as he was on operations amongst the other Riflemen. He was on the list of volunteers for the Battalion JNCO Cadre in the summer but sadly the Battalion and Regiment as a whole have lost a future leader of men who had so much potential.

"The loss has hit the Company hard and he will leave a gap that can't be filled. Our loss is nothing compared to the loss his family must feel and all our thoughts are with them at this terrible time."