Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones dies in Afghanistan

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones from 20th Armoured Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron (200) on Tuesday 24th January 2012 at Forward Operating Base Khar Nikah in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.

Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones
[Picture: via MOD]

Signaller Ian Gerard Sartorius-Jones
Signaller Sartorius-Jones, 21, from Runcorn, Cheshire, enlisted in the Royal Corps of Signals in February 2007. Following his basic training, he attended the Royal School of Signals, Blandford, where he enjoyed a promising start to his career as a Communications Systems Operator.
He joined 20th Armoured Brigade Headquarters & Signal Squadron (200) in May 2008 where this talented and intelligent soldier deployed to Iraq on Operation TELIC 13. While in Iraq he contributed to the provision of communications and the closure of the Combined Operating Base Basra. He showed the raw talent on tour to be plucked from his duties in the Contingency Operating Base to serve with one of the Military Transition Teams providing communications and mentoring to the Iraqi forces. He took part in many exercises including a three month deployment to the British Army Training Unit Suffield in Canada and a string of Mission Specific Training exercises in Germany, Denmark and the UK. His sterling performances during these exercises and genuine aptitude for field soldiering saw him selected to work as a Rear Link Detachment Operator on Operation HERRICK 15.
Initially Detached to C Company, 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Staffords) and latterly D (DELHI) Company, 1st Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’ Own), this outgoing and charismatic Signaller was responsible for the maintenance of vital communications links from a Forward Operating Base in Nahr-e Saraj as well as conducting patrols alongside his Infantry counterparts.
Signaller Sartorius-Jones leaves behind his wife Kellyanne and young son Dylan as well as his parents Robert and Amanda Sartorius-Jones and brother, Alan, 26.
The family of Signaller Ian Sartorius-Jones, said:

“Ian was a lovable character, a devoted father to Dylan, who is 8 months old, husband to Kellyanne, a wonderful son to Robert and Amanda and brother to Alan. He will always be missed and loved by all his family and friends.”