JONATHAN PETER HETHERINGTONLance CorporalHetherington , who died on 27 August, 2006, aged 22, was an outstanding soldier with a bright military future ahead of him.L/CplHetheringto n was a member of 14 Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare) based at Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire. During his six-year Army career, L/Cpl Hetherington had served his country all over the world.He was killed when Taliban insurgents attacked his platoon house at Musa Qala in Helmand Province.His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Steve Vickery, said: "He was a very bright, junior non-commissioned officer who had integrated extremely well into Regimental life since his arrival in February of this year."Jonathan Peter Hetherington was born on 20 June, 1984, in Salisbury, Wiltshire, the son of Sandra and Steve Hetherington. He grew up in Port Talbot, South Wales, and joined the Royal Signals at Swansea on 1 September, 2000.He attended the Army Technical Foundation College at Harrogate before completing phase two of his training as a Radio Systems Operator at the Royal School of Signals, Blandford, Dorset.L/Cpl Hetherington was posted to 249 Signal Squadron (AMFL) at Bulford before joining 102 Logistics Brigade Signal Squadron, Germany, in January, 2003. He was then deployed on Operation Telic, serving in Kuwait and Iraq.An intelligent and conscientious soldier, L/Cpl Hetherington had by this time qualified as a class 2 Radio Systems Operator. In February, 2006, he was selected for deployment in Afghanistan.Lt Col Vickery said: "Lance Corporal Jon Hetherington had only been in Afghanistan for a short time; in this period his commitment to his profession was first class and he stood out as a young man of stature and great enthusiasm."He will be fondly remembered for his amiable nature and engaging sense of humour and without doubt a very promising military career lay ahead."L/Cpl Hetherington was the 14th British soldier to be killed in Afghanistan since operations began in November, 2001.His funeral took place with full military honours at St Theodore's Church, Port Talbot. In testament to his popularity, 250 of his fellow soldiers were present to see his flag-draped coffin carried into the church by members of his regiment.His best friend, L/Cpl Sean Greener, paid tribute to his friend when he said: "Jon was keen to take up the challenges he knew he would face in Afghanistan, and volunteered to get into the thick of things when the opportunity came."Lt Col Vickery added: "Jon was an outstanding soldier, trusted comrade and valued friend; his loss will be greatly felt by all who served with him."
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