Tributes paid to soldier who ‘lived life to the full’

Tributes have been paid to a British soldier killed in Afghanistan who “lived by the skin of his teeth” and “died trying to make the world a better place”.

Lance-Corporal Jonathan McKinlay, of B Company, 1st Battalion The Rifles, was killed in Afghanistan on 14 September by a burst of small-arms fire while on patrol with his team.

Family and friends gathered for the emotional service at Bulford Camp, Wiltshire, on the tenth anniversary of the conflict in Afghanistan.

The union flag-draped coffin adorned with flowers was carried into small St George’s church by six of L-Cpl McKinlay’s comrades.

Speaking to more than 200 mourners, Padre Grant Ashton told them L-Cpl McKinlay had “died trying to make the world a better place”.

He read out a few words from L-Cpl McKinlay’s mother, Valerie, who said: “Jonathan always lived life by the skin of his teeth. He sky-dived, loved it; he rode a motorbike, loved it; and he was an infantry soldier, loved it. Not a safe trio, I’m sure you’ll agree.

“Life is going to be a lot duller without him.”