Fellow soldiers mourn their loss (From News Shopper)

Fellow soldiers mourn their loss

4:55pm Saturday 10th November 2007 in Bexley By Robert Fisk

FELLOW soldiers have paid tribute to their friend who will "never be forgotten" after he died in Afghanistan.

Bexley-born Lance Corporal Jake Alderton, was killed when the vehicle he was in rolled off a bridge.

He was pronounced dead at the scene near the district centre of Sangin in Helmand Province at around 4am local time yesterday (November 10).

The 22-year-old, of the 20 Field Squadron 36 Engineer Regiment, was part of a British group taking part in an operation in support of the Afghan National Army.

Another soldier and an interpreter were also injured and taken to hospital by helicopter with non-life threatening injuries.

The Ministry of Defence says there were no enemy forces involved.

Commanding officer of the 36 Engineer Regiment Richard Wardlaw RE said: "In Lance Corporal Alderton, the regiment was fortunate to have a totally committed and thoroughly professional junior non-commissioned officer who always put the interests of others before his own.

"These were qualities which made him a natural choice for the demands of training and mentoring the Afghan Army, a challenge which he had self-evidently risen to with boundless enthusiasm and real flair when his life was brought to such a tragic and untimely end.

He will be missed'

"His loss is sorely felt by all in the regiment and our thoughts and prayers at this time go to his family who he clearly loved and cherished dearly. He will never be forgotten."

Commanding officer of the 29 Field Squadron Major Gareth Baker RE said: "He was an extremely professional and dedicated soldier, he was very highly regarded by those who worked with him; he will be missed by those who knew him.

"All of my soldiers are fully aware of the risks associated with being on operations, but somehow it is all the more tragic that Lance Corporal Alderton was killed in a road traffic accident.

"It is some small consolation that he died while doing the job he had trained to do and at which he was excelling.

"It has been another devastating blow to the squadron, his loss is felt very keenly by all but our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and loved ones during this most difficult time."

L Cpl Matthew Kemp, of the 3 Troop 20 Field Squadron, 36 Engineer Regiment, wrote a poem to remember him. It reads: Jake was a keen soldier respected by friends and peers.

He loved being in the British Army and part of the Royal Engineers.

Jake made everybody smile whenever he was there.

He was somebody who always listened, someone who always cared.

Jake loved playing poker and usually won, As much as we hated parting with our cash he always made it fun.

He was very much a social guy and always had friends near.

He enjoyed spending time with his girlfriend and taking the lads out for a beer.

Jake was loved by everyone and shall be missed by us a lot.

Farewell Jake, rest in peace, you will never be forgot.

A very sad day'

A close friend of L Cpl Alderton, Gary Burton, who is also a L Cpl in the 2 Troop 20 Field Squadron, 36 Engineer Regiment said: "Jake Alderton was a well respected member of 2 Troop.

"He was very professional in his approach to the army and always ready to help someone.

"He always gave 100 per cent whatever was put in front of him.

"He also had a life outside the army and talked about his long term girlfriend and always talked highly of his family.

"He will be sadly missed by everyone that worked with him, a very sad day in the Corps."

L Cpl Alderton was deployed on Operation Herrick 7 to Afghanistan on September 16.

He was attached to the 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment to provide engineer advice to the operational mentoring and liaison team, working with the Afghan National Army.

His role was to provide essential training and engineer support to the Afghan soldiers.