Agony of Scots hero's mum set to accept medal

JEM WRIGHT: I'M SO PROUD BUT I WISH MARK WAS HERE INSTEAD

By Paul Thornton, 07/03/2010

THE mother of a hero Scots squaddie last night paid a moving tribute to him - as she prepared to get her own medal.

Almost four years after son Mark died in Afghanistan while trying to save fellow Paras, grieving Jem Wright is being presented with the Elizabeth Cross.

The honour was introduced by the Queen last year to recognise the nation's debt to the families of fallen soldiers.

But, blinking back tears, brave Jem told how she'd gladly have missed out on the gong if it meant Mark - awarded a posthumous George Cross for gallantry - could still be with her and hubby Bobby.

The distraught mum, 58, said: "I am obviously honoured to receive this award yet, under the circumstances, it is also really sad."

Dad Bobby, 64, added: "We would obviously prefer to have Mark here with us. But we are very proud of how brave he was."

Mark, 27, of Dalkeith, Midlothian, was killed on September 6, 2006, while trying to rescue colleagues trapped in a minefield.

Three months later military chiefs awarded him the nation's highest medal for acts of gallantry while not under direct enemy fire.

In his memory his parents opened the Mark Wright Project Centre in his home town last November.

It provides counselling and a meeting place for troops and ex- squaddies, particularly those suffering emotional problems such as post-traumatic stress.

And last night the Elizabeth Cross was presented to Jem, along with a scroll signed by the Queen, at the UK Reserve Forces Association's annual ball.

Proceeds from the event in Edinburgh's Assembly Rooms are going to the Mark Wright Project.

Jem said: "It was a complete surprise to hear I was going to be given the Elizabeth Cross.

"I thought that with Mark being awarded the George Cross, that would be that.

"But we want to make everyone aware of what the project is doing. I think it honours the memory of our son."

More precious than any medal for the Wrights are their memories of their beloved son, who joined the Army on January 11, 1999.

Bobby explained: "He was 19 but he'd been in the cadets before that. When he was leaving for basic training, his mum went to the train station with him and we told him he didn't have to go.

"But it was what he wanted. Mark was a very caring boy. He was always looking out for folk, always looking to share.

"We were at his passing-out parade and when we saw him marching up and down in his uniform we were so proud.

"Mark used to come home and stay when he was on leave.

"He was just the same all the way through his time in the Army - but we saw him grow from a boy into a man."

Mark successfully completed the gruelling combat infantryman's course and Parachute selection.

After passing the basic Paras course at RAF Brize Norton, he was posted to 3 Para in October 1999, joining a mortar platoon.

In his first three years of service he did three tours of duty in Northern Ireland.

In May 2003, during the second Gulf War, Mark was sent to Iraq, where he served with distinction. He was later promoted to corporal before being sent with 3 Para to Afghanistan's notorious Helmand province in May 2006.

Four months later he went to help an injured colleague trapped in a minefield.

But he suffered serious injuries after a Chinook helicopter sent to rescue them set off EXPLOSIONS with its powerful downdraft.

For the next three hours Cpl Wright continued to command and inspire his stricken troops. Tragically, though, he bled to death before he could be airlifted to a field hospital.

And his parents will never forget the day of HORROR when they were told of their terrible loss.

Bobby recalled: "I was out when Jem answered a knock at the door. There were two guys in uniform.

"When I came in she was on the floor screaming. It was pretty heavy stuff."

On December 14, 2006, Mark was posthumously awarded the George Cross for an act of "the greatest gallantry and complete disregard for his own safety in striving to save others".

And two months later his parents went to Buckingham Palace with Mark's fiancée Gill Urquhart to pick up the prestigious gong.

Bobby added: "We were very proud of how brave Mark had been but obviously we'd prefer to have him here with us.

"We'd waited a long time for Mark. He was an only child, so he was precious to us."

The Elizabeth Cross was presented to Jem by Brigadier John Thomson of the Reserve Forces Association.

He said they had chosen to raise funds for the Mark Wright Project as a tribute to the fallen in Afghanistan - as well as the great efforts of Bobby and Jem.

Bgdr Thomson said: "We've been very impressed with the work they and their charity are doing.

"As parents they are recognising their son's life by helping others."

He added: "We thought that was an honourable thing to do and a really deserving charity - especially as Mrs Wright has been awarded the Elizabeth Cross."