Lance Sergeant Mark Terence Burgan

Lance Sergeant Burgan (28) came from Liverpool, and joined the 1st Battalion Irish Guards in 1999. He served on Operations in Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He rose to the rank of Lance Sergeant, joined the Battalion Signals Platoon, becoming a Signals Detachment Commander – a job at which he was hugely capable.

However, his skills stretched far beyond this. He was an extremely talented junior commander, professional in every way; this, coupled with his consummate loyalty to his friends and family made him a man his subordinates strove to emulate. A man who genuinely loved his job, he saw the Signals Platoon as being one big family, and one of which he was a key part.

Lance Sergeant Burgan was a strong family man to his core. He leaves behind his wife, Leanne, as well as his parents, Terry and Rita, and sisters, Laura, Kate and Jayne, and we offer our deepest condolences.

Mrs Leanne Burgan, the wife of Lance Sergeant Burgan, has made the following statement:

“I am so honoured to be Mark’s wife. I will always love my hero. Mark was an extremely proud Irish Guardsman, dad, husband, brother and son. He will forever be in our hearts.”

Terry Burgan, the father of Lance Sergeant Burgan has made the following, statement:

“Mark was our beloved son. One in a million, proud isn’t a good enough word to show how we feel about him.

“You were loving, considerate, protective and thoughtful towards everyone’ Sometimes a wind-up merchant and a pain in the backside. During your childhood you were my little soldier; as your sisters came along, that’s when your protective side started; giving your orders out to them and having play fights and giving them a slight dig.

“We all loved our family DVD viewing and one of those teas (red plate) ha ha! As it says in your favourite film, The Lion King, ‘hakuna matata’ – no worries. So don’t worry about your beautiful wife, Leanne, she’ll be safe with us and you’ll be safe with your darling Archie.

“Keep on partying our sunbeam. All our love to you eternally from your loving Mum, Dad, Nora-Lugs, Kate-Jesus and Jayne – the favourite Bab.”

Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Ghika, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, said:

“The loss of Major Matt Collins and Lance Sergeant Mark Burgan yesterday has been a devastating blow to the Irish Guards. Two more committed and professional soldiers it would be hard to meet; they epitomised what it meant to be a member of this family regiment.

“Lance Sergeant Mark Burgan joined the Battalion in 1999 and went first to Germany, where the Battalion were based. He quickly found his feet, and became known for the traits that marked out the rest of his service: reliability, hard work and a performance as a proficient and skilled soldier. But with all of these came a sense of humour and style that set him apart.

“Like so many of his age in the military, he served in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan with the Battalion. But his contribution was more marked than the roll call of places suggests.

“For in every place he visited and with each group that he worked, he brought something extra. His professional knowledge and dedication were his hallmarks. The notes given to me by his Company Commander, alongside whom he died, say it all: ‘Knows what has to be done, does it brilliantly and has the next thing ready before you ask’.

“He liked to be at the centre of the small group dynamic that makes infantry battalions work, and he found this in the Signals Platoon. Likeable, welcoming and with a smile on his face, he was always available to help those less gifted than himself as a friend and mentor. This made him a well known and much respected figure in the Battalion. Such was his enthusiasm and dynamism, everyone wanted to have him around.

“He was also a dedicated family man; his family was central to all that he did. Leanne, his parents and sisters all mourn with us the passing of this larger than life character who was a friend to every man in the Battalion.

“It is perhaps a comment on the character of this Regiment that both Lucy Collins and Leanne Burgan are the daughters of distinguished and long serving Irish Guardsmen. The events of last night are a family tragedy in every sense.”

Captain Ben Irwin-Clark, Company Second in Command, Number 3 Company, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, said:

“Lance Sergeant Mark Burgan was recently graded as the best Lance Sergeant in Number 3 Company, and for good reason. He was the quintessential Irish Guards Non-Commissioned Officer – totally professional and excellent at his job, smart and with extremely high personal standards, with a ready smile and a bright and engaging character. Lance Sergeant Mark Burgan was a hugely capable soldier, driver, Signals Detachment Commander and junior commander.

“Those he led respected his professionalism and aspired to emulate him, while those above him were enriched by his initiative and willing attitude. He was passionately loyal to his friends and family, a big-hearted and tactile man who could talk to anyone with great empathy and kindness.

“Many times during this operational tour he showed himself to be cool under fire, capable of clear and well executed command, and dependable in all circumstances. His passing has left an enormous hole in his Company, and his warmth and character will be sorely missed with every passing day.”

Warrant Officer Class 1 (Regimental Sergeant Major) Stephen McMichael, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, said:

“Lance Sergeant Burgan was one of the Irish Guards best exports. Loyal, committed, passionate and the ultimate professional, he had a wicked sense of humour and always lit up a room whenever he walked in.

Lance Sergeant Mark Terence Burgan with wife Leanne

“Lance Sergeant Burgan was the epitome of a Guardsman – smart, fit and an exceptional field soldier. He was a great commander, and he showed great empathy to his subordinates. The Sergeants Mess of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards has lost a great friend and a great Mick. He was a rising star for the future and at this sad moment, our thoughts and prayer are with his wife Leanne and his family. Quis Separabit.”

Warrant Officer Class 2 (Company Sergeant Major), Richie Sixsmith, Number 3 Company, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, said:

“Lance Sergeant Mark Burgan, or Burgo, has been an integral part of the Advisor 30 team since its inception. He was chosen because of his specialist skills with the Bowman system, and because he was the best Signals Detachment Commander within the Signals Platoon. We were lucky as Number 3 Company has the Signals Platoon as one of its elements; therefore we had the pick of the bunch.

“I know Major Collins held Lance Sergeant Burgan in very high regard, as he had recently placed him as number one in all the Lance Sergeants in Number 3 Company. This was echoed by the Battalion; as he was due to take over a Rifle Platoon in Number Two Company on our return from Op HERRICK 13.

“Lance Sergeant Burgan was one of the Irish Guards best exports. Loyal, committed, passionate and the ultimate professional, he had a wicked sense of humour and always lit up a room whenever he walked in.”Warrant Officer Class 1 (Regimental Sergeant Major) Stephen McMichael

“I personally knew Mark a little before he moved to Advisor 30, but over the last 12 to 18 months I got to know him very well. He was a very diligent Non-Commissioned Officer and he impressed with everything he did. He was incredibly fit and loved to run, I soon taught him that a good Platoon Sergeant needs a little more weight, so he’d been hitting the gym with me.

“He was a very devoted husband to his wife Leanne, I know this as he must have spent his entire operational bonus on welfare phone cards, and the amount of letters he received made the Amazon quiver. He was a massive Liverpool FC fan, and would stop at nothing to see ‘the match’. I had recently converted him to rugby, and he would stay up many a night to watch the ‘egg-chasers’, but I was never going to fully convert him.

“I know Mark would have wanted me to say this for him and his family: ‘You’ll never walk alone’. You are in my heart and my prayers. God speed, Richie. QS III.”

Corporal Andy Cairns, Royal Army Medical Corps, Advisor 30 Medic, said:

“Dear Terry and Rita Burgan, I am fully aware that these words will not be able to fill the vacuum created by Mark’s death, nor are they supposed to. I hope that they are able to console you, even if it is just for a moment.

“I was lucky enough to have met Mark, worked with him, and soldiered beside him throughout this tour. I came to know him well, he would never pass without mocking me, or having a dig, and I would attempt a witty response in equally bad taste – such was the way of our friendship. He was a consummate professional, in both the calm and in the storm we faced in our time together out here.

“He led tirelessly by example, constantly working with the blokes, for the blokes. The devastating loss of Mark will be felt far and wide by all those who know and loved him. My thoughts are with you at this moment; they were on that day and will be forever. In deepest sympathy, Andy.”

Corporal Andrew Hardy, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Advisor, said:

“I’ve only known Burgo a short while but long enough to admire his spirit. He would always put a happy spin on mundane tasks. There were countless times of friendly banter between us.

“As a vehicle mechanic, I have become used to short acquaintances – this is one I shall not forget. He was truly an inspiration to the whole callsign, and a man I looked up to. My heart goes out to his family and all who loved him through this difficult time. I will remember him.”

Lance Corporal Paul Carson, Number 3 Company, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, said:

“Burgo was an awesome guy and an even better soldier. He would always give you a hand if you asked for it, and always made you laugh. Although I didn’t know him before the tour, I soon realised that he was a mate, and I will often think about him and his family.”

Lance Corporal Chris Duddy, Number 3 Company, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, said:

“Burgo was an outstanding soldier, and it was an honour to serve with him. He was very professional at his job, and a role model to look up to. Every day we had laughs with him. Mark will be missed and always remembered as a person to look up to. My thoughts go to Mark’s family and his wife Leanne.”

Guardsman Ray Thompson, Advisor 30, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, said:

“It was an honour and a privilege to have spent my tour of Afghan with Mark. He was always there if we needed problems solved, with his banter and barrels of laughs. It was an honour to serve alongside Mark, who I aspire to be like: loyal, brave, and always willing to help. Not only have I lost a colleague, I have also lost a friend. My thoughts go out to his parents and his wife Leanne.”

Guardsman Jack Griffiths, Number 3 Company, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, said:

“He was genuinely a good bloke, and was liked by all. He constantly cracked the jokes, and always made sure that the lads were squared away. It was real pleasure to have known him and to have worked so closely with him. A really good guy, who didn’t deserve to leave us, he will be sorely missed by all.”

Craftsman Shane Milne, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Advisor, said:

“I was attached to Lance Sergeant Mark Burgan’s callsign of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards two weeks ago. In the short time that I knew him, I could see that he was a very friendly and dedicated soldier. Burgo was very approachable, extremely friendly and always had a smile on his face.

“There was always a lot of banter between him and the lads, a lot of laughing and giggling. I admired him as a person and a friend and will miss him. He will be missed by many and by his colleagues in the Battalion. My deepest sympathies go out to Burgo’s wife, Leanne, his parents and his family.”

Craftsman Scott Fitzpatrick, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Advisor, said:

“I am honoured to have met and lived alongside Mark over the past 6 months. I first met Mark while working back in Windsor, and my first impressions of him were what a kind and helpful guy, who went out of his way to help me out, which is sometimes rare to see in my line of work. Upon moving to Camp Gereshk, I found myself working in a camp where I didn’t know anyone, until I saw a friendly face, which was Mark’s.

“Whenever I needed a hand, or had any questions that needed answering, Mark was always there and happy to help. He was brilliant at his job and loved by everyone.

“What I remember most was he and I staying up until the early hours of the morning so that we could watch the football live as it’s not the same watching a repeat. We could talk about football for hours – pretty soon we had a good bond between us. I have too many memories of Mark to mention, none of which I will ever forget. He will be missed by many and never forgotten.”

Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said:

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of Major Collins and Lance Sergeant Burgan, both men of great experience and exemplary commitment to the Irish Guards. They have laid down their lives protecting our national security, a loss made all the more poignant as they were so close to finishing their tour of duty and returning home.

“I extent my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of both men, and to all those who had served with them.”