A SOLDIER from the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, based at The Dale Barracks in Chester, who was about to become a dad, has been killed while on foot patrol in Afghanistan.
Fusilier Jonathan Burgess was due home within weeks to see pregnant fiancée Kelly Forrest.
He died on Wednesday after being wounded in a fire fight with the Taliban.
Dozens of messages of condolences have been left on Facebook for the 20-year-old, who has been described as a ‘Welsh warrior’.
One read: “My thoughts go out to the family and comrades of the brave Royal Welsh soldier who was sadly killed. I’m sure everyone in Chester will feel the same as they are our resident battalion. RIP.”
Distraught family members have paid tribute to the loving son, brother and fiancé from Swansea.
They said: “We were all very lucky to have had such a wonderful person in our lives… He would have been an amazing father to his baby girl. He will be greatly missed by us all. He will always be our hero.”
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Lock, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Battle Group, said: “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.”
He added that the group was shocked by the news.
Fusilier Robert Slaney, said: “Jon was a brilliant soldier and an excellent friend.
“There was always a bit of competition between us. Not least with me being a ‘North Walian alien’ and him being a ‘Southy’.
“Losing a good friend has torn us apart… I’ll miss you.”
