Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2007 Kingsman Alan Joseph Jones, of the 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was killed in Basra. He was a Minimi Gunner conducting top-cover from a Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle when his Platoon came under small-arms fire in the Al Ashar District of Central Basra City. Sadly he was mortally wounded.

He had joined the army at the age of sixteen, and two years later, due to his considerable strengths as a soldier he was selected for the Reconnaissance Platoon. He deployed to Iraq on 11 November, 2006. He is remembered as a popular, dependable soldier, and a strong and instantly likeable character.

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Kenyon, his Commanding Officer, said: “Kingsman Jones will be remembered as a very professional soldier who was loyal to his Regiment and his friends. Above all he was a cheerful and likeable young man who always had time to help others. He was the epitome of all a Kingsman should be.” Alan, from Liverpool, was 20 years old.