THANK YOU EVERYBODY WHO HAVE MADE SUCH GENEROUS DONATIONS, I WILL NEVER FORGET YOUR NAMES AND HOW KIND YOU HAVE DIFFICULT TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Celebrating & Giving thanks for the life of

Marcus Hill

Wednesday 26th November 2025 – 3.30pm

Wyre Forest Crematorium

(Receive Marcus to Circles – Post Malone)

Hello and welcome as you join in coming together to celebrate and give thanks for Marcus life.

My names Anne Matthew and I join you in my professional capacity at Jeremys request to deliver Marcus’ ceremony, a ceremony planned with much love and one which reflects what we believe would have been Marcus’ wishes for a lighter and brighter celebration of his life; a life lived to the full these past twenty-three years, as many of you here today will know!

So, whilst the circumstances which bring us together today are exceptionally difficult, we’re confident Marcus would not wish to be remembered nor defined by the way in which he lost his life, but more for the ways he enriched each of your lives, especially as a warm, big hearted, caring ‘hugger’ – I’m told a big softie at heart!

We have plenty to cover in the brief time we’re here today, so just before we hear memories of a Marcus as a much-loved son, brother, and partner, on behalf of Jeremy and the family, thank you you all for your support in recent weeks, and for joining in celebrating Marcus’ life today. As such, they extend a warm invitation to you all to join them at the Holt Fleet, Holt Heath, following Marcus’ service, where you can raise a pint or two in Marcus’ memory.

To those of you who may wish to gift a donation, donations are invited towards a fund for Kim and the baby, in addition to a memorial for Marcus, and can be left in the collection box as we leave or made online via the QR code on the reverse of your order of service – do please know any donation no matter how small will be very much appreciated.

So, let’s now reflect on the Marcus you all knew and loved, from when he was born ‘smiling’ on the 27th August 2002; a smile for which he’ll be remembered, and one which made those who really knew him, smile too.

As a toddler and growing boy, he always got involved with anything he could put his hands to; from fixing cars, and painting walls, to gardening or, on occasion, attempting to climb ladders to extreme heights! So, it came as no surprise when he broke his nose, jumping out of a treehouse on an assault course (which his Dad built), but that didn’t stop him – as you’ll all know, he always wanted to do the extreme giving it 100% no matter what!

His enthusiasm also extended to football and rugby in his early years and I’m reliably informed, ‘destroyed’ the garden repeatedly on both quad and dirt bikes!

He loved hanging out with little brother Dom; re-enacting something they’d seen on Bear Grylls in the woods at Dads, the once building a ‘Den’ that looked more like a Roman Fortification!

I think it’s fair to say from speaking with Dad and Dom, Marcus was less than enamoured with school….let’s face it, he had far better things to be getting on with – it simply wasn’t enough for him, and when I asked how parents evening had played through, let’s just say they were ‘challenging!’. Keen to make a good ‘parting’ impression, the last day of school, he set the fire alarms off, and thus found himself ‘banned’ from the school premises – strange given he had no intention of returning!

The following year, he successfully completed a one-year diploma in uniformed services at Shrewsbury College in readiness to enlist with the army, and as Dad Jeremy added, ‘he couldn’t wait until he was 18 so opted to go to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate’.

Leaving home aged 16, the following 52 weeks required intensive army training, following which, he was assigned to the RAC (Royal Armoured Corps), and as Jeremy continued, ‘It was here he undertook a further 12 weeks additional trade training before being selected to join the coveted Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) - his absolute dream job.

Excelling in his career, the following two years saw Marcus become a fully qualified Tank Crew member which included weapons, armour, communications and advanced combat, driving in a 70 tonne war machine, as seen on the front of your order of service.

To top it off, he also earned promotion with his 1st stripe of Lance Corporal, for which he was over the moon sharing the fantastic news with Dad explaining he could now wear his newly promoted dress uniform to Dad and Kerri’s wedding.

During his time with his regiment, he worked on the new Challenger 3 project which took him on many trials, including a trip to Estonia as part of the NATO defence force, and as Jeremy laughed, ‘he probably triggered something which caused Russia to invade Ukraine in the following months!’.

He also became a member of the Royal Yachting Association after completing an amphibious course in Portsmouth with the Royal Marines.

Regrettably, just as his career with the army was taking off, Marcus left the Army at a similar time to his brother, following influential activities of close family members.

Dom, who also served in the Army with 5 Rifles Regiment was inspired by Marcus’s energy for which Marcus was very proud. However, Marcus was always quick to remind Dom that he was Royal Tank Regiment and Dom was just an infantry man, to which Dom’s reply was always very sharp with ‘when your tank breaks down, you will be an infantry man too – but not trained as highly as I!’.

It was whilst staying with his half-sister Kirsty for a couple of months, after leaving the Army, Marcus met Kim whom he adored to this day in addition to securing work as a labourer, updating his Dad daily with photos of the projects he was involved with, with Jeremy adding, ‘He thought the world of his work colleagues and was pleased to join a bricklaying course at College.’

He found a new burst of joy and happiness upon learning Kim was pregnant, which in itself was something of a miracle given he’d sustained a nasty accident in the ‘nether regions’ whilst driving a tank, which landed him in hospital for surgery! I’ll spare you the details, especially given Nanny and honorary grandad Bob are with us, but joking aside, Marcus was told he may be infertile as a result of the accident.

Happily, this was not so, and as Kim shared…

‘Marcus was a person who brought so much joy, love, and laughter into my life. He often managed to make me laugh—and brought smiles to everyone around him, even in the most unexpected moments.

After a fun party, he tried to steady himself by grabbing the Christmas tree, toppled it, and it landed on him—making me laugh so hard I could barely breathe as I watched him wrestle it free!

He was also incredibly loving and caring, always there for me through every up and down. Together, we shared countless moments, and he made life brighter just by being himself.

As we remember him today, we also look forward to the life growing inside me that will carry on Marcus’ legacy.

Even in this moment of loss, there is hope and love that will continue to grow.

Knowing this baby will be endlessly loved would have made Marcus so happy.

Love you always

Kimmy’.

I’d just like to pick up where Kim left off reference Marcus and the Christmas tree incident…as some/if not all of you will know, Marcus was somewhat accident prone…from falling off the very first tank he climbed upon (we can only hope when he was a toddler and not in a working capacity), to dropping his mobile on his brothers new DJ decks, (literally the day he set it up, proudly revealing his new kit to his big brother….I’m told they scrapped that one out, but as usual it ended with Marcus hugging Dom so tight there was little point in fighting!), to falling off his electric bike, sustaining disc burns! Then there was the incident when he dog sat for Sam and Abi, and their beloved ‘Pablo’ disappeared on his watch for 24hrs….oh, and I couldn’t continue without mention of the dog attack incident, where, struggling to get a bruiser of a dog off his arm (for which he received serious injuries) out of sheer desperation, yes, he did indeed poke his finger up the dogs….’b’…..behind’….!!! And yes, for those of you who may be wondering – yes, it did work! And finally, Marcus was prone to the odd bit of sleep walking….peeing so hard and for so long in the corner of Kims bedroom (at her parents house), it quite literally dripped through the light fixtures below!! With regards DIY….the less said the better other than he was always ‘fixing’ what he’d broken!

There are so, so many more stories for you to share after, when you continue onto the Holt Fleet, but for now, our final words go to brother Dom and Dad Jeremy…

From Dom…

‘Marcus, if I’m honest, I don’t have the right words to fill the space your absence has left, but I want you to hear me anyway.

You weren’t just my brother—you were my guide, my partner in crime, my rock.

The days with you were the best kind of ordinary: late-night talks, shared jokes, and the unsaid understanding that we had each other’s backs no matter what.

You believed in me in a way that made me believe in myself.

When I doubt, I hear your voice saying, ‘You’ve got this, Dom’. When I feel tired, I remember how you showed up - ready to help, ready to listen, ready to lift me up.

You were steady where I was restless, and you made me braver by simply being you.

I carry you with me in every choice I make, every risk I take, and every moment I laugh the way you’d laugh at my silly stories.

Your kindness, your courage, and your stubborn love—those are the things I want to honour every day.

I’ll try to live in a way that would make you proud, and I’ll keep your memory close in the quiet corners of my heart where you still speak to me.

If there’s a day when I feel lost, I’ll remember the way you’d listen without judgment, how you’d push me to keep going when I’m about to give up, and how you’d remind me that family isn’t just who’s with you now, but who stays with you in spirit.

I’ll keep your light alive by being the best version of myself I can be - because that’s exactly what you’d do for me.

I love you, big brother, bigger than any fear, deeper than any doubt. I’m grateful for every moment we shared, every prank pulled, every story swapped, every hug that said more than words ever could.

Until we’re together again, I’ll carry you in my heart and in everything I choose to do.

Love always, your brother Dom’.

And from Dad Jeremy…

Marcus, who brightened our days with a smile that could light up a room. You were taken from us too soon, but your warmth, kindness, and laughter remain with us always.

You lived with a fierce curiosity and a generous heart.

You taught us what it means to love deeply, to show up for others, and to find joy in the little moments.

Though you were only with us for 23 precious years, your impact is immeasurable. We carry your memory in every bold step we take, every honest conversation we have, and every act of kindness we extend in your name.

We miss your voice, your jokes, your gentle wisdom, and your quiet strength.

Rest now, safe in the arms of those who love you.

We will keep you alive in our stories, our traditions, and our daily lives.

Until we meet again, may your spirit soar free, and may our hearts find comfort in the love you shared and the memories

“Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day.”

Love you my boy, Dad’.

Whilst nobody can understand what has happened, Marcus will live on through all of his loved ones and we know he would have loved to have seen how many people came here today.

In all probability, he’d have smiled and told a joke!.

Ahead of bidding Marcus’ farewell, we now take a moment for you each to remember him in your own way accompanied by Lewis Capaldi ‘Something in the heavens’, and a photographic tribute to his life…

It’s with regret, the time has now come for us to bid farewell to Marcus, with love and appreciation. I ask that you now please join me in being upstanding…

So weep not for me now I am gone

For I have lived to see and feel

The sun rise over the landscape

And set, over the golden horizon

In sadness at his loss yet with joy for the life he lived, we now commit the body of Marcus Hill to its end with nature.

Marcus, into the freedom of the wind

We let you go

Into the stars and the planets

We let you go

With love we bid you farewell,

With love we now leave you in peace.

Please remain standing as we say together the Lords Prayer…

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever

Amen.

Thank you, please be seated.

Having given thanks for Marcus’ life, the time has now come for you to return to your own lives.

Take comfort in knowing, its through continuing to speak Marcus’ name, he will remain at the heart of your family and friendship circles.

As you now continue onto the Holt Fleet, in recognition of his services to his country we hear the touching words to ‘For the fallen’ by Laurence Binyon…

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

On behalf of Jeremy and the family, thank you for coming together to give thanks for Marcus’ life.

(Family and friends to place roses as leave)