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Hero Marine to lead Poppy Appeal




The Worthingtons Armed Forces Raceday at Newbury Racecourse features Royal British Legion Berkshire 90th anniversary celebrations

A NEWBURY marine who jumped on a comrade to protect him from a grenade will lead the 90th Berkshire Poppy Appeal celebrations at Newbury Racecourse tomorrow (Saturday).

Marine Mark Jackson will be guest of honour at the armed forces race day after he was awarded the Gallantry Medal, second only to the Victoria Cross, for diving on a comrade to protect him from a blast from a grenade whilst serving in Afghanistan in August last year.

The 28-year-old, from Wash Common, has spoken of his pride at being guest of honour and despite his heroics insists he is “just one of the lads”.

He said: “It's a great honour to be asked to launch the Poppy Appeal. I'm doing it in memory of all of those servicemen and woman that have died.

“During our tour of Afghanistan last year our regiment lost 15 lads so I will be thinking about them, their families and friends during the day.

“The Poppy Appeal does great work for military personnel who have fallen on hard times or been injured in combat. It also helps the families of servicemen and women.”

The heavy weapons operative, who is currently in training to return to Afghanistan next year, said he only told his family about his heroics after it was announced he would receive the Gallantry Medal, which he received from Prince Charles in June.

“I never spoke about what happened,” he said. “I just said it was busy over there. I didn't want to panic them.

“My family are immensely proud. I have many friends in the military who have much more experience than me and they are also very proud.

“There's only about 45 other people who have been given the award. I'm now the second highest decorated Marine. It's strange for a guy from a small town. I'm just one of the lads.”

Saturday's event, which will bring down the curtain on the racecourse's flat season, will include a total of seven races.

Before the racing starts The Royal Navy Raiders' Parachute Freefall Display Team will be dropping onto the racecourse.

Military personnel and Royal British Legion members will gain free entry into the premier enclosure.

For more details and tickets call (01635) 40015.



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