Darlington soldier killed on patrol in Afghanistan

Lance Corporal Jonathan James McKinlay, who previously served as an instructor at the Infantry Training Centre, at Catterick Garrison, died after being hit by a burst of small arms fire on Wednesday evening, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said yesterday.

The 33-year-old, who served with The First Battalion The Rifles, leaves wife Lisa, daughter Megan and stepchildren Ollie and Piper, together with his mother, Valerie, and sister, Becca.

Last night, Mrs McKinlay said: “We are all deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Jonathan. He was a true friend to others and a loving husband, a real joker and my one in a million.”

Paying further tribute on Facebook last night, she wrote: “My heart will forever be with you JJ. I love you forever and always. You were the one for me.”

His mother added: “Rebecca and I are devastated, as are the rest of the family. Jonathan was dearly loved by us all and by his many friends around the world.”

L Cpl McKinlay – affectionately known as ‘JJ’ and Commander Meerkat McKinlay – was on patrol with his team and members of the Afghan Uniformed Police in a village near his base at Checkpoint Chaabak, in the Nahr-e-Saraj South district of Helmand, when he came under fire.

He joined the Army in 1996 and had previously been deployed to Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan and held an impressive array of qualifications, the MoD said, before describing him as a great asset to his company and the battalion.

He returned for his second tour of Afghanistan in June – as a battle casualty replacement – and recently qualified as a mortar fire controller.

L Cpl McKinlay was described by his comrades as an outgoing and friendly commander who, during his time at the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick Garrison, had turned out some “first class recruits”.

Lieutenant Colonel James de Labilliere, Commanding Officer, The First Battalion The Rifles, said: “To anyone who met him, L Cpl Jon McKinlay made an instant impression.

“On the one hand, a hard professional soldier who demanded the very highest standards from himself and his men, and yet, on the other, a man of great compassion, humour, and somebody who had time for others. He had irrepressible energy and was industrious to the core.

“L Cpl McKinlay had enjoyed a career of great variety in the Army, and was highly qualified as a result.

“His most recent accomplishment was qualifying as a mortar fire controller, the course for which he had to attend during the start of his tour in Afghanistan, to his frustration.”

He passed with a distinction and an eager appetite to get back to the front line, which he did just under two weeks after qualifying, he added.

“He was a man of great character, agile of mind, and he was not afraid to express a considered opinion when the opportunity arose. I valued his judgement, his energy, his creativeness and his professionalism.

“And what a tremendous addition he was to the checkpoint and to the platoon he worked with. He set the tone of the place, it was immaculately run, but enriched by his personal touch. He made a barbecue to improve their quality of life, naming it ‘JJ’s Bar and Grill’ and setting himself up as the head chef for the team, which he did enthusiastically.

“First Rifles have lost a fantastic battalion character and a highly-accomplished soldier.

L Cpl Jon McKinlay will never be forgotten. His name joins the list of Rifles fallen who, through their sacrifice, provide our daily inspiration and motivation for the work we do.

“But at this time of inconceivable anguish and grief for his family, it is to them our thoughts and prayers go."

Major Mike Turnbull, Officer Commanding B Company of The First Battallion The Rifles, said: “Lance Corporal McKinlay was one of the company’s most colourful and vibrant characters, a man with a huge personality and irrepressible optimism.

“He had endured his share of setbacks in a career spanning 15 years, but he’d met each one head-on and with the same determination to start afresh.

“Life was all a challenge to him, and where lesser men would have faltered, Lance Corporal McKinlay simply forged ahead.

“He brought that same optimism to B Company when he arrived as one of our mortar fire controllers, newly qualified and bubbling with enthusiasm for his trade. His impact was instantaneous, both within the fire team with whom he worked, and the platoon with whom he lived.

“His mere presence on a patrol would reassure the men around him – they knew that they were in good hands when Lance Corporal McKinlay was on the ground. He was that sort of man, with a generosity of spirit and a kindness of heart that endeared him to all who met him.

“He had found a home in B Company, and we weren’t ready to say goodbye so soon.

“One in a million, the finest of riflemen, he will be remembered with our deep and enduring affection.”

A statement on behalf of The Riflemen of 9 Platoon, C Company of The First Battalion, said: “He was always the heart and soul of the group, with his rubbish banter he still managed to give back as good as he got. There was never a dull moment when big JM was around.

“He stood out from the rest with his ability to soldier in any condition, he was truly a chosen man.

“Jon was never selfish and would do anything for his fellow riflemen. He will always be remembered by his fellow Riflemen of 9 Platoon.

“Life in the battalion will not be the same without him. A legend amongst legends. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, family and the riflemen of 9 Platoon he was serving with on Herrick 14. Rest in Peace Jon.

“Gone but not forgotten. Once a Riflemen always a Riflemen. Swift and Bold.”

Lance Corporal Gary Davies, 6 Platoon, B Company of The First Battalion The Rifles, said: “When I saw you around the checkpoint at any time of the day you would always have something to say.

“Whether it would be trying to banter or something else. Going to miss seeing you cutting around the check point mucka, but not with your top off mind. Rest in peace mate.”

Rifleman Carl Farley, 9 Platoon, C Company of The First Battalion The Rifles, said: “So sorry to hear about this sad incident, but I would also like to thank you for the last four years.

“I was grateful to have you as my section commander in training and then in battalion some time later. I thank you for all you have taught me and hope I have done you proud. You were someone I would never be scared to come to if I had problems that I needed to talk about and for this I thank you. You’ll be missed by me a great deal, I cannot thank you enough.”

Captain Bob Atherden, Second-in-Command, B Company of The First Battalion The Rifles said: “Lance Corporal Jon McKinlay was a man I knew well – he was one of my section commanders in 5 Platoon during the battalion’s 2008-9 tour.

“In fact, he was one of the first men that I met when I arrived in Afghanistan fresh from training. It immediately struck me that under my command was a confident, mature and trustworthy commander.

“We shared many fun evenings in Checkpoint Jugrum, and Jon McKinlay was always at the centre of lighthearted banter. Once, however, before a company operation, he did manage to change all of the water for Gatorade – it tasted good, but wasn’t so great when it came to cooking or brushing teeth.

“It was with great pleasure that I welcomed him back to B Company on the current tour of Afghanistan. I think he had found his calling as a mortar fire controller, he was good at it and blatantly enjoyed his job.

“I will always remember you Jon, especially how easy it was to get a rise out of you, whether that be desperately trying to get you to put a shirt on to cover up your body when we were in Jugrum, or ribbing you about the rubbish spray job on your helmet! My thoughts go out to his family.

He’ll never be forgotten.”

Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: “Lance Corporal McKinlay’s skills were of great value to his battalion – but it is clear from the tributes paid by his colleagues and friends that it is his personality and enthusiasm which will be missed above all.

“My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Lance Corporal McKinlay’s family at this very difficult time for them."