Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2010, Rifleman Jonathon Michael Allott, 3rd Battalion, The Rifles, died in Afghanistan. He was the front man in his patrol, responsible for clearing the ground of IEDs, when during an operation to insert a new patrol base he was killed in an IED blast.

One of a family of five children, Rifleman Allott had enlisted in the army in November of 2008, and deployed to Afghanistan the following September. He is remembered as being remarkable for his age: courageous, diligent and charismatic with a contagious smile. He formed true friendships with his colleagues, with whom he was popular not only for his easy-going way and sense of humour, but for the way he would watch out for them and cheer them up.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson said of him: “Rifleman Jonathon Allott 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. Having arrived with us some nine months ago, he had already made a name for himself as someone for whom nothing was too much trouble, whether it was taking time to talk to a fellow Rifleman or clearing the ground of deadly IEDs for his platoon to pass safely. 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 died doing a job that he loved and for which he had a natural talent. Giving, determined and selfless. For their tomorrow he gave his own. The Battle Group will miss him most keenly.”

Jonathon, from Bournemouth, was 19 years old.