Private 21102 Julian Marks, the Guyana Defence Force soldier found dead in the Cuyuni River on Tuesday, after disappearing from his base at Eteringbang on November 18, was yesterday buried with full military honours, following a funeral service at the Charlotte Street Wesleyan Church, in the city.

The casket leaves the church for its final place of rest.

The Church was filled to capacity, and hundreds, having turned out to join his bereaved family members in bidding farewell to a son, brother, friend and colleague, filed past the flag-draped casket, mounted at the entrance, and bearing Julian’s photo.

Deep anguish prevailed throughout the service, as inconsolable family members wept bitterly, some fainting, as memories of the fallen soldier’s life were relived in tributes rendered by family members and Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Commodore Gary Best, and others.

Julian Machel Miguel Marks, the first of four children for his parents Julian and Denise Marks, an employee of Republic Bank, died under mysterious circumstances while stationed at an army base at Eteringbang. He was 23.

After an intense search by the military, in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force, his body was found in the Cuyuni River on Tuesday, bearing marks of violence. It was discovered approximately one mile from Ekereku River mouth and eleven miles from Eteringbang where he was stationed, a GDF press release stated.

A graduate of Bishop’s High School, Marks joined the staff of Republic Bank, and later entered the University of Guyana, but having an obsession with joining the Guyana Defence Force as an Officer Cadet, soon gravitated towards the army. But having failed in his first bid to be admitted to the Standard Officers’ Training Course, he entered as Private soldier with the hope that he would later be selected to do the training. While in the army, Marks demonstrated his mettle in the technical field, doing electronics, and in the field of Information Technology. He died while yet waiting to be admitted to the Standard Officers’ Training Programme.

Minister Charmaine Mc Lean of the Charlotte Street Wesleyan Church acknowledged and lauded the contribution Marks made to the Church, alluded to him as “the boy who brought the trophies home” whenever he participated in District Quiz Competitions within the Wesleyan Church community. He was also acknowledged by Rev. Dr Eldon Anderson who preached the sermon.

Meanwhile, Chief-of-Staff Commodore Gary Best, on behalf of the Guyana Defence Force, expressed profound condolences to the parents and other sorrowing family members and friends of Private Marks.

Following the funeral service, wailing again erupted, as the flag-draped casket, bearing the remains of Private Julian Marks, was escorted out of the Church by ranks of the Guyana Defence Force, followed by his parents, siblings, other family members, and other mourners.

Adding to the solemnity of the occasion, soldiers in ceremonial attire, wore black arm bands and even the drums and other instruments carried by bandsmen were draped in black.

Signalled by a roll of drums, the military contingents, breaking into ‘slow march’ with the hearse at the centre, and accompanied by the band, wended their way to the final place of rest.

At the graveside, as the 21-gun salute was sounded and the last rites accorded, leading up to the body being entombed, relatives again wept.