Pte Marcus McArthur
Pte Marcus McArthur
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Marcus McArthur Obituary
Private Marcus McArthur – who was due to deploy to Afghanistan next month – died just weeks after joining 31 Close Support Squadron in January.
The 18-year-old Logistics squaddie, from Thatcham, was killed in an accident on the A34 at Newbury on Thursday last week at 9.50pm after his Vauxhall Vectra was involved in a collision with a Mercedes lorry.
Pte McArthur’s Officer Commanding Major Tom Wood, said: “I met Pte McArthur on his arrival in the squadron last month and was immediately impressed by him.
“He was a confident and motivated young man who was looking forward to deploying on operations in Afghanistan with the Squadron in March.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesman recalled Pte McArthur’s past.
He said: “When Pte McArthur was younger he was in the Newbury Army Cadet Force for four years where he participated in many exercises and excelled in first aid and marksmanship.
“This initially ignited his interest in the Army and he signed up in February 2008 with a view to joining 13 Air Assault Brigade and becoming a paratrooper.
“This would have been a role particularly suited to him due to his physical fitness. He participated in basketball, representing his school when he was younger, and also had a keen interest in motocross and fishing.
“Pte McArthur displayed all the characteristics required of a British Army soldier and was noted for his level of maturity, determination and confidence in his own ability.
“He had said he wanted to join the Army because it would help him complete two of his life goals; getting out of home and supporting himself.
“His report from recruit training was very good which has been borne out in his short time with the regiment, he proved to be a real asset making a really positive impression and making many friends.”
Pte McArthur, who used to attend Kennet School, lived with his mum, stepdad and older brother Shane.
Writing on social networking site Facebook, where a group has been set up in memory of the young soldier, Shane said: “Gone but never forgotten. 1990-2009. Who lived his dream proudly and proved all those that doubted him wrong.”
Also on Facebook, Terri Eagles said: “You proved everyone wrong and I know everyone is proud of you.
“Whenever I think of you, I remember your brown corduroy coat at school.”
Amie Louise Bourton wrote: “God has taken yet another beautiful angel to watch over and protect us all. I’m so proud of you for achieving your goal.”
Pte McArthur’s cousin Gemma Johnson added: “Everyone is so proud of you for achieving your dream and getting into the army.
“It’s not going to be right without you, but I still have the great memories.”
33 Entries
Heather money
August 8, 2025
Marcus it's been 16 years since you were tragically taken from us will never forget you loved and remember you every day miss you so much fly high up in heaven with the angels till we meet again love you always love mum xxxc
Heather money
November 2, 2022
A wonderful and loving son taking to soon gone but not forgotten only just beginning to live his dream loved always xxx
Lindsay
August 8, 2022
been thinking about you a lot the past few days marky .so much has happened.kimberley & Pete have a beautiful little girl called wren, who I,m sure you would have adored. so you're a great uncle ! gem & Carl are expecting a baby December 31st and gem & Craig have just bought their own house! you're missed so very much, but we all remember you with so much love in our ❤ .god bless you marky .lots of love as always aunty loopy xxxx
Heather money
June 21, 2021
Marcus was a wonderful son and brother nephew grandson loved by many people who had just begun to live his dream 12 years ago and was taken to soon gone but never forgotten loved by all his family rip xxxx
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Heather money
February 27, 2021
Gone but never forgotten you just started to live your dream loved always and forever in our hearts love you forever till we meet again xxxx
Lindsay quirk
February 2, 2021
You were loved by so many marky gone but never forgotten ❤ you xx
Rachel Young
July 12, 2018
Ginge I don't know why but you've been in my thoughts this last few weeks. I wonder what adventures we would have been up too if you were still here. I miss you always and forever
Heather Money
February 1, 2017
It is nearly eight years since you have been gone still feels like yesterday to us love and remembered every day gone but never forgotten wish you were still here love you so much and the pain never goes away rip love mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
heather money
September 3, 2015
Can't believe it's been six years since you have been gone time has gone so fast miss you everyday wish you were still here wonder what you would be doing now miss you all the tlove love you so much rip son love mum xxxxxxxxxx
heather money
April 10, 2011
cant beilieve its been two years already markie and you would of been 21 this year theres not a day goes by when we think of you and we miss you every day and wish you were still here and we think of all the memories we have of you and no one can take them from us we will always love you and will always be proud of you and remember your smile and how you used to make us laugh and you will always be in our hearts forever and we will never forget you gone but not forgotten rip love you always mum andy shane xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
shelly tame
March 4, 2011
marky, babe i really cant believe your gone, you'll always be with me in my heart i'll never forget you and i'll always remember the good times we had.
loves you loads
xxx
Dannii D
January 22, 2011
R.I.P Marky.. Gone but never forgotten...
Its been nearly 2 years and it still hurts as much as it did when i found out :(
Love youu always :) x x x
mel pullen
November 9, 2010
rest in peace marky, forever missed by all. xxx
heather money
November 9, 2010
markie we miss you every day and wish you were still here with us we love you with all our hearts and wish we could see you again and hear your voice and see your smile we remember the good times we used to share and we will allways be proud of you and never forget you and you will always be in our hearts and thoughts sleep well untill we meet again love you forever mum andy shane xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Emily Martin
May 21, 2010
still cant realy belive its bin over a year miss you loads xxx
Dannii D
May 17, 2010
Forever missed. Love youu always Marky :) x x x
Tricia Campbell
May 16, 2010
Markie, you will always be in everyones hearts and always be missed but never forgotton, you was only starting your life, its so sad and frustrating that you didn't get to complete your dreams that you had.
Rest In Peace xx
Kerry Cox
May 16, 2010
for someone my daughter only meet maybe once, she talks about you all the time, and you have brought people together, always missed, always thought off, xxx
cindy bunce
May 16, 2010
to marky allways in are thoughts never forgoton loved by all forever xx
glyn cox
November 22, 2009
miss you every day marky not a day goes by that i don't think of you hope grandad paul and ian are looking after you.
you made us all proud when you passed out for the army xxxxxxxx
heather money
May 3, 2009
cant believe you are gone but not for gotten we miss you every day and wish you were still here with us and remember the good times we used to share when you used to make us laugh and cry and how proud of you we are when you got into the army and your life had only just begun its not fair you were taken from us if we could have only had more time with you love and miss you love you with all my heart love you allways rip from mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
heather money
April 24, 2009
marcus miss you every day and wish you were still here and love you with all are hearts and you had only just started to live your dream in the army miss you loads love you lots and allways mum andy shane xxxxx
jade gale
April 8, 2009
Marcus...x
cant believe you're gone babe never forget the good old days, babes you was like a brother to me all the times you helped me out and give me advice you helped me out of some pretty tough sictuations i dont no how i could of got through them without you, sure are lucky up there they have got one hell of a lad. Marky you will always be in my heart. Miss you and thinking of you.
Rest In Peace x
Louise Allum
March 26, 2009
Marucs ,
we all miss you so much babe!
they really have gained someone extra special up there :) .
i came down to see you the other night :) sat and remembered all the funny jokes and memories.
night babe .
x x
steve helene ben sam glover
March 4, 2009
Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
Abbie Passmore
February 28, 2009
i didn't know you but the way these people describe you it's unberleivable, you oviously are truely missed, to make it better you just have to watch down on those people who love you, they will apprichiate it! :) x
sara white
February 26, 2009
marky...
im gunna miss you so much and i cant even express how much i miss you, all i can say now is that heaven has one hell of an angel up there guarding the gates. i wish i could just hear your voice one more time...
ill always remember that time up donnington when you carried me all that way through the bog.. always there for me calling me your big sister haha you may be gone but certainly not forgotten.
xxxxxxxxx
Emma Booth
February 25, 2009
Remember
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
By Christina Rossetti
The Poetry Foundation
heather money
February 24, 2009
we were so proud of you and you acheived your dream of getting into the army and we will never forget you love you forever and allways rip now asleep with the angels love mum andy and shane xxxxx
Scott Steggles
February 24, 2009
All @ 14pl Newbury Berkshire ACF will miss you so much
Tait,Johno,Duggan,Scouse,John,Grice,and the rest of the lads from 110sqn
February 23, 2009
from all the boys in 110sqn, were gonna miss you buddy and we are so upset thst youve left us.
Youll always be Loved and Remembered and you were a Great Friend of All of us.
Much Love All your Mates Down at Leconfield!!! xx
Margaret Rose Money-Griffiths
February 21, 2009
Our familys sympathy is with all of you.
Paige Bishop
February 19, 2009
Marcus you were always here for everyone and was such a brave and happy soldier it is a shame you have gone and will be sadly missed.
Forever in our hearts never forgotten x
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