Ash cloud from Iceland affects the return of the body of Royal Welsh soldier

Apr 15 2010 by Antonia Merola, Chester Chronicle

THE body of a soldier from the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, based at The Dale Barracks in Chester, who was killed on foot patrol in Afghanistan, has landed early as a cloud of volcanic ash from Iceland grounds UK planes.

Fusilier Jonathan Burgess, who was about to become a dad with fiancée Kelly Forrest, died on April 7 after being wounded in a fire fight with the Taliban.

Fusilier Burgess, from Swansea, leaves his father Royston, mother Susan, sisters Tracy and Suzanne, and brothers David, Christopher and Ashley.

The plane landed four hours early 9am at RAF Lyneham.

From midday today (Thursday) until at least 6pm there will be no flights permitted into UK-controlled airspace except in emergency situations.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Lock, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Battle Group, told the Chronicle last week: “Jon was the epitome of a Welsh infantry soldier; fiercely proud of being a Royal Welshman and of the job that he was doing in Afghanistan.”