Morning:
6°c
London commander they called 007 is fatally wounded in Helmand
Rashid Razaq15 May 2009
Tributes have been paid to an “exceptional” soldier who died after being shot in Afghanistan.
Lieutenant Mark Evison, 26, a platoon commander, from Dulwich, was wounded in the shoulder when he and his men came under enemy fire while on patrol in Helmand Province on Saturday. He was flown back to the UK for treatment, but died in hospital on Tuesday with his family by his bedside.
Relatives paid tribute to the “charismatic” young officer who joined the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards less than two years ago and was nicknamed 007 by his comrades.
His family said in a statement: “Mark led a charmed life in many ways, because of who he was: he was charismatic, caring, optimistic, and always happy, and he drew to himself a wide circle of friends from all walks of life.
“He was devoted to his family. He loved the army and its comradeship, care, adventure, respect and courtesy. He lit up so many lives in his 26 years, and will be profoundly missed. Everyone who knew him loved him.”
Lt Evison attended Dulwich College where he won a music scholarship at the age of 16 to Charterhouse School. The talented student played both the cello and the piano. Charterhouse held a minute's silence yesterday at the school chapel in memory of the officer.
Deputy headmaster Andrew Turner told how two of Lt Evison's former classmates travelled to Birmingham to be by his bedside this week. Mr Turner said: “He was a very popular member of his house. There was a particularly close bond in his year group.
"We've all been saddened by his death. A lot of the staff remember him. He is the first old boy to have died in action since the Aden conflict (1967). We have a proud history of military service at the school and his name will be added to those of all the war dead on our memorial.”
Lt Evison studied land economy at Oxford Brookes University. He trained at Sandhurst before joining the Welsh Guards in December 2007. Lt Evison's friends and colleagues described him as an “unrivalled” soldier and a “true gentleman”.
Polar traveller Geoff Somers told the Standard how he trained Lt Evison for a record breaking solo expedition to the South Pole in 2006. Mr Somers, who has completed a dozen journeys to both Poles, coached the young officer as he attempted to realise his childhood dream of becoming the youngest person ever to complete the challenge unaided.
He said: “He was self-reliant and super-fit. Confident and willing to learn. He actually showed me up. It was a huge challenge. He wanted to get his coaching done before he went to Sandhurst and then do the expedition later.”
However financial difficulties meant Lt Evison had to postpone the expedition and had not undertaken it before he was posted to Afghanistan. His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe said: “He was a natural leader - tactically astute, clear sighted and cool and decisive under pressure. I suspect that his life, tragically cut short, would have gone on to shape history. It would certainly have continued to inspire those around him.”
Lt David Harris, a fellow platoon commander, said: “Mark was blessed with a lust for life that inspired all around him. “In every situation, social or professional, he had a real presence and an infectious enthusiasm that lightened up even the darkest moments. His confidence, fitness and professional ability was unrivalled as a fellow platoon commander.”
Guardsman Gareth Lucas said: “Mr Evison was a great soldier and a true gentleman. A fine role model for us all. He loved his boys and his boys loved him.” His death took the British armed forces' death toll in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001 to 158.
