A SOLDIER shot dead in Afghanistan was from the North-East the Ministry of Defence confirmed today.

Lance Corporal Jonathan McKinlay, 33, from Darlington, deployed to Afghanistan in June 2011, having recently qualified as a Bravo Mortar Fire Controller. He was based in Checkpoint Chaabak in the Nahr-e Saraj (South) district of Helmand province.

He was killed by a burst of small arms fire on Wednesday, 14 September 2011, while on patrol with his team and members of the Afghan Uniform Police (AUP) in a village near to his checkpoint.

L Cpl McKinlay leaves behind his wife, Lisa, daughter, Megan, and stepchildren, Ollie and Piper.

LCpl McKinlay's wife, Lisa, paid the following tribute: “We are all deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Jonathan, affectionately known as 'JJ', also known as 'Commander Meerkat McKinlay'. He was a loving husband, son, brother, son-in-law and father to Megan, Ollie and Piper. He was a true friend to others and a loving husband, a real joker and my one in a million."

Did you know L Cpl McKinlay? Call the newsdesk on 01325-505064