Service at the Commando Memorial, Spean Bridge - 24
Date: 14/11/2010
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Owner: Pete Rogers (Admin)
Newspaper report about a rugby match mentioning Mark Deering
Newspaper extract from the Sunday Mirror published 26 January 1964.
Obituary in the Globe and Laurel, December 1964.
"RM 20642 Marine M.A. Deering
Marine Deering was drowned when crossing a river near the Sabah / Indonesian border, on Friday 30th October, when making his way back to his Troop jungle base from a border patrol.
Mark Anthony Deering joined the Corps in July, 1961. After completing his recruit training he joined 45 Commando and, after his tour in Aden, returned to UK and joined 43 Commando from July, 1963 to September, 1964.
He joined 40 Commando in Sabah in the same month and was posted to No.2 Troop, 'A' Company, where he very quickly became a popular figure who always seemed to have an apt and amusing remark ready for any situation.
Deering had a distinguished sporting record and had played Rugby for the Corps, Devonport Services, and had been an Irish Schoolboy International. He had also played for London Irish and was offered an Irish trial.
His tragic death, so soon after joining the Commando, has been a great blow to us all, and a very promising career has been very suddenly cut short.
To his parents, brothers and sisters in Ireland we offer our deepest sympathy on their great loss."
Additional Sources
AFM ROH.
Obituary with the permission of the Globe Laurel, the Journal of the Royal Marines.