Fusilier Jonathan Antony Burgess

Fusilier Burgess, of 3 Platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, died as a result of gunshot wounds following a small arms engagement in the Nad 'Ali area of Helmand province. At the time his Multiple (half a platoon) was on patrol to disrupt insurgents who were focused on stopping the British soldiers and their Afghan partners from protecting local communities within the area.

Jonathan was born in Swansea, South Wales, on 9 July 1989. He was brought up in Townhill where he attended the local Primary School and Bishop Gore Comprehensive. After school he studied catering and worked in a restaurant. On completion of the Combat Infantryman Course at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, he joined the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh in May 2008. He was initially posted to Episkopi Garrison, Cyprus.

Since joining the Battalion, Fusilier Burgess has conducted a demanding overseas exercise to Kenya and also the pre-deployment training package, prior to deploying on Op HERRICK 11.During his four months in Afghanistan Fusilier Burgess had been a key member of 3 Platoon and had conducted both aviation assault and ground holding operations.

Fusilier Burgess was engaged to be married to Kelly Forrest. He leaves behind father, Royston, mother, Susan, sisters, Tracy and Suzanne, and brothers, David, Christopher and Ashley. The family of Fusilier Jonathan Burgess, and his fiancée, Kelly, paid the following tribute:

"Jonathan was a loving and caring man who enjoyed life to full. He had an infectious smile that would brighten up anyone's day. We were all very lucky to have had such a wonderful person in our lives. he was a much loved son, brother, friend and fiancé and would have been an amazing father to his baby girl. He will be greatly missed by us all. He will always be our hero."

Fusilier Jonathan Antony Burgess - 07 April 2010