Marine killed in Afghanistan named (From This Is Lancashire)

Marine killed in Afghanistan named

5:33pm Sunday 18th July 2010 in

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A British marine killed in an explosion in Afghanistan on Friday has been named by the Ministry of Defence as Jonathan Crookes.

The 26-year-old reservist from 40 Commando Royal Marines died while on foot patrol in Sangin in Helmand province.

Marine Crookes, from Halesowen, West Midlands, was one of four UK servicemen killed in the country since Friday.

Birmingham-born Marine Crookes lived with his mother and his fiancee Danielle Davis and had an older brother and sister called Robert and Jane, according to the MoD. He joined the Royal Marines Reserve in September 2005 and was awarded the Commando Dagger for the best all round recruit in training.

Marine Crookes volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan for his third operational tour in April. He was also studying for a degree in International Relations and worked as a tree surgeon and labourer, the MoD said.

The marine's mother Sue Crookes said: "Jon was a caring, thoughtful son, full of life. If he made up his mind to do something he always achieved it to a high standard. I am so proud of him."

Marine Crookes was a "giant of a man", according to his Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Paul James.

"Supremely brave, he died at the front of his patrol - a position which requires enormous skill and courage, and a position that he filled with consummate professionalism," he said. "He was an inspirational marine who, as a Reservist, volunteered again to come to Sangin with 40 Commando. He was a bright, strong, fearless man with a selfless, determined, but well-humoured and affable manner; everyone admired Jonny Crookes."

Major Ed Moorhouse, Officer Commanding Charlie Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines, said: "We have lost a truly outstanding man. Marine Jonny Crookes, known universally as "Crooksey", was everything you could ask for in a Royal Marines Commando; he was a mountain of a man, strong, powerful and brave."

"He was the most stoical man I have ever met in all of my years of soldiering; he was an inspiration to us all. A man of presence, bearing and gravitas, the mould has been broken; there will not be another Jonny Crookes."