Mark's Biography
Corporal Mark William Wright GC of the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment was awarded the George Cross for his bravery on 6th September, 2006, in Kajaki, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, when he entered a minefield in an extraordinary attempt to save the lives of critically injured soldiers. Sadly, he lost his life during the incident. The George Cross ranks with the Victoria Cross as the highest award in the UK for acts of gallantry. The following extracted from his citation highlight the extent of his courage -
From July, 2006, a Fire Support Group of the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, held a high ridge feature in the northern centre of Helmand Province near the Kajaki Dam. On 6th September, the leader of a sniper patrol, tasked with engaging a group of Taliban fighters operating on the principal highway was heading down the steep slope when he initiated a mine and sustained severe injuries. Seeing the mine strike from the top of a ridge, Corporal Mark Wright gathered a number of men and rushed down the slope to assist. Realising that the casualty was likely to die before a full mine clearance could be effected, Corporal Wright unhesitatingly led his men into the minefield.
Exercising effective and decisive command, he directed medical orderlies to the injured soldier, ordered all unnecessary personnel to safety and then began organising the casualty evacuation. He called for a heli
copter and ordered a route to be cleared through the minefield to a landing site. Unfortunately, the leader of this task, while moving back across the route he believed he had cleared, stepped on another mine and suffered a traumatic amputation.
Corporal Wright, again at enormous personal risk, immediately moved to the new casualty and began rendering life-saving assistance until one of the medical orderlies could take over. Calmly Corporal Wright ordered all non-essential personnel to stay out of the minefield, continuing to move around and control the incident. He sent accurate situation reports to his headquarters and ensured that additional medical items were obtained.
It has since been established that shortly after this the down draft from a rescue helicopter set off a further mine which seriously injured Corporal Wright and one of the orderlies (Inquest Report October 2008).
The remaining medical orderly began treating Corporal Wright but was himself wounded by another mine blast which caused further injury to both Corporal Wright and others.
There were now seven casualties still in the minefield, three of whom had lost limbs. Despite this horrific situation and serious injuries he had himself sustained, Corporal Wright continued to command and control the incident. He remained conscious for the majority of the time, continually shouting encouragement to those around him, maintaining morale and calm amongst the many wounded men. Sadly, Corporal Wright died of his wounds on the rescue helicopter. His supreme courage and outstanding leadership were an inspiration to his men.
Mark was born the only child of Bobby and Jem Wright in Edinburgh on 22nd April, 1979. Jem and Bobby had been married for 9 years before Mark was born so he was a very special baby and later young man. Always cheerful and relaxed from childhood, he loved his family and never failed to endear himself to others at school or with his extended family. So good was Mark at his job, he was asked to do an additional tour of Iraq with 2 Para. All the 3 Para lads said he could land a mortar on a 50 pence piece. As a Mortar Fire Controller, he was well known within the Battalion as having a 'sixth sense' when it came to mortaring. His accurate and timely fire control undoubtedly saved many Coalition lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. His skill had also been instrumental in fending off countless Taliban attacks in Helmand Province. Mark was a man who made his parents, family and friends extremely proud. Bobby and Jem Wright know that Mark would also have been proud to have his name associated with the New MoD Army Recovery Centre (ARC) dedicated to the rehabilitation and recovery of serving soldiers which opened on Monday 17th August 2009 at Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh. The Mark Wright House ARC was supported by The Help for Heroes Charity. How appropriate that the first Army Recovery Centre in Scotland should be named after Mark who gave his life helping others.For acts of the greatest gallantry and complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Wright was awarded the George Cross.
He attended Prestonfield Primary and later St. Serf's at Westercoates in Edinburgh but he was keen to leave and did so just before he was 16 years old. Mark liked football and was a supporter of Heart of Midlothian FC. As a boy he loved riding his bike and also going fishing with his Grandad. After leaving school, he worked for a time with his father Bobby in his Painter and Decorator business but he was determined to achieve his boyhood ambition to join the Paras like his Uncle Alec before him. Despite his dad's attempts to influence him otherwise, Mark demonstrated his independence and knew exactly what he wanted as a career. On 11th January, 1999 he completed the Combat Infantryman's Course and pre Parachute Selection before passing the Basic Parachute Course at RAF Brize Norton. Mark passed out and became part of 3 Para Mortar Platoon on 10th October, 1999. Mark completed three tours of Northern Ireland, conducting security operations in Dungannon and Belfast. He also served with distinction in two tours of Iraq. On returning to the UK, he was promoted to Corporal and deployed to Helmand Province in Afghanistan in May, 2006, as part of Operation Herrick IV.