“A genuine, carefree and fun-loving person who touched everyone he met.”
Those words were the tribute of a grieving family as they laid their Royal Marines son and brother to rest on Monday following his tragic death in the Angus glens.
Hundreds of mourners packed St Luke’s Church in Broughty Ferry to say farewell to Monifieth 20-year-old Luke Ireland, whose body was found following a huge search in Glen Clova after an afternoon run in the picturesque hills during a family break turned to tragedy.
Among those at the military burial of the popular ex-Monifieth High School pupil were comrades from Arbroath’s 45 Commando where Marine Ireland served as a member of Zulu Company.
Many of his brothers in arms at the service had been part of a massive search operation involving Tayside Police, mountain rescue teams, search helicopters and 250 Royal Marines and Army Commandos in appalling weather, which led to the discovery of his body on November 14.
Senior officers and pals at the Angus base joined the tributes to the young machine gunner, speaking of his professionalism, enthusiasm, sense of humour and the tragedy that he had met his death seeking the “demanding challenge that epitomised his tough and adventurous character.”
Grieving service comrades in full military dress stood shoulder to shoulder with family and the many friends of Marine Ireland who met his family’s request of wearing bright colours in his honour.
He is survived by his parents, Paul and Carol, and brother, Nathan, and in a family eulogy they spoke of his “zest for life”:
“Son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend to many, Luke was a genuine, carefree and fun-loving person who touched everybody he met,” they said.
“His zest for life and his positive spirit was infectious; he was and will continue to be, a role model to many.
“As a family we are immensely proud of Luke as he put his all into everything he did and he thoroughly enjoyed everything about his life especially his family and friends.
“Taken from us far too early but still with us in everything we do. Always in our hearts,” said the Ireland family.
Marine Ireland’s Commanding Officer at the Arbroath base, Lieutenant Colonel Dan Cheesman, said:
“The untimely death of Royal Marine Luke Ireland in the mountains of Glen Clova has come as a tremendous shock to all who knew him.
“Luke’s insatiable sense of humour, zest for life and moral courage made him an outstanding Royal Marines Commando.
“Reliable, intelligent and incredibly fit, he made the most of his time with Zulu Company. In his first assignment since training, he impressed from the outset.
“He excelled in his role as a general purpose machine gunner, revelled in taking part in a recent unit exercise in California and was looking forward to deploying to Belize to conduct jungle training in the New Year. I have no doubt that he would have achieved his aspiration to become an elite Royal Marines mountain leader.
“Luke’s passing is a significant blow to 45 Commando and the Royal Marines. For one so junior he was extraordinarily popular and well-regarded. The thoughts and prayers of the whole unit are with his family and friends at this particularly difficult time.”
Officer Commanding Zulu Company, Major Ed Hall told mourners:
“Marine Ireland was an exceptional Royal Marine. Fit, strong and utterly professional, he will be remembered for his magnificent sense of humour and constant grin.
“He lived and breathed the corps, exuding an enthusiasm for soldiering that was instantly infectious and spread throughout his troop. He possessed all the Commando qualities in abundance, but most of all he was unselfish, determined and committed.
“The tragic manner in which he died, seeking a physical and demanding challenge, epitomised his tough and adventurous character.”
Further tribute was paid by another of Luke’s superiors, Captain Will Stevens, officer commanding 10 Troop:
“Marine Luke Ireland was everything a Royal Marine should be and more. I was immediately struck by his intelligence, incredible robustness and humility.
“He was completely dedicated to the Royal Marines and was a pleasure to have as part of my troop.
“He exuded an aura of calm with his softly spoken Dundonian accent and had won the respect of all the men with his professionalism.
“Marine Ireland was a truly professional ‘bootneck’ who worked hard, did his job exceptionally well, but still had time for fun.
“It is tragic to lose a young marine with such huge potential and who set such a shining example.”
Mountain leader section commander, Corporal Rudi Taylor said:
“Luke was the physical embodiment of our ‘esprit de corps’. I felt he was my ‘project’ in the section as he had all the attributes to become a Royal Marines mountain leader.
“From an early stage I encouraged this path and I was proud of his grit and attitude. He had a hardness that would have seen him through to the highest of levels in a long career in the corps.
“He was also quick-witted, smart and truly passionate. These attributes make, in Rabbie Burns’ words, A Man’s a Man for A’ that. I will sorely miss Luke as a Zulu Company Warrior, 1 Section GPMG Gunner and friend.”
The funeral service also heard from close school friend Cameron McGill, who told mourners of witnessing Luke’s “total dedication to fulfilling his dream of becoming a Royal Marine”:
“He was the life and soul of everything we did and could always be counted on to bring humour to any situation.
“He was a true gentleman and a great friend to everyone who knew him. Luke was an inspiration to all and I am a better person for having been his friend.
“He may be gone, but he is not forgotten and will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace Luke, see you at the last meet.”
A Royal Marines Look At Life course in 2012, set Luke’s heart on a career in the elite corps and he was passed fit for duty a year later, having overcome the rigours of Commando training, including the considerable setback of a broken foot.
He was drafted to 45 Commando Group, where he joined Zulu Company, the Zulu Warriors.
The Royal Marines Charitable Trust and Tayside Mountain Rescue team are to receive the proceeds of a collection at today’s funeral service.
Marine Ireland was laid to rest at Barnhill cemetery.
For further coverage, see Tuesday’s Courier.