UK soldier killed by IED in Afghanistan on Friday named
UK soldier killed by IED during routine patrol in Afghanistan on Friday named as Rifleman Jonathan Allott
Sunday, 07, Mar 2010 07:16
By Matthew Champion
The British soldier killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) during a routine patrol in Afghanistan on Friday has been named as Rifleman Jonathon Allott by the Ministry of Defence.
Rifleman Allott, 19, from North Shields, died from wounds sustained in the blast during a patrol in Sangin, Helmand province.
Paying tribute to the Three Rifles soldier, his parents, sister and two brothers said in a statement: "Jonathon Michael Allott (Jonny) died a hero doing the job he loved - he will be sorely missed by the whole family and all who knew him. He had a wish that his brothers could have shared his experiences with him. Jonathon couldn't wait to get home and wear his medal with pride."
His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson said the rifleman was an "inspirational young man in so many ways".
"His warm and friendly nature endeared him to all whose path he crossed but belied the streak of steel that ran through him making him a true warrior," Lt Col Kitson said.
"There is no doubt that he had a promising future. This battle group has lost a respected brother in arms and our nation one of its very best sons."
Rifleman Allott was the 269th UK soldier to die in Afghanistan since operations began there in 2001. Since then another British soldier has been killed, although he has not yet been named. The MoD said that neither death was connected with Operation Moshtarak.