Hull school tribute to Pte Johnathon Young

A touching memorial service has been held for Private Johnathon Young at his former school.

Family, friends, former and current pupils, governors and members of the community joined together at Sir Henry Cooper School in Orchard Park, north Hull, to remember and celebrate his life.

Pte Young, 18, of Orchard Park, was killed by a Taliban bomb in Afghanistan on August 20.

More than 150 people turned up to honour the soldier, who spent five years at the school before joining the Army.

The memorial service included images of Pte Young at different stages of his life, as well as a song written for him by his cousin, Jordan Ariss.

David White, headteacher of Sir Henry Cooper School, led the service.

He said: "Johnathon's life and memory has imprinted itself forever on our hearts.

"His bravery, his courage and the legacy of the wonderful memory he leaves in his wake will continue to be an inspiration to our school.

"We will never forget him or allow his memory to be lost in a sea of time.

"We are all still desperately sad, but today was also about celebration and honouring a fine young man.

"It is wonderful to see so many people here, former pupils who have gone their separate ways, but have been joined back together."

Pte Young's brother Carl and sister Leah joined Mr White at the lectern to speak about their brother.

Carl said: "I can see Johnathon meant a lot to you all.

"Johnathon enjoyed his five years at the school and he left in 2007 to join the Army and achieve something with his life and make his family proud of him."

The service then heard words from Pte Young's former head of year and two of his teachers, before Lieutenant Rob Taylor, who served alongside him in Afghanistan, spoke about the loss of his comrade.

He said: "I know Johnathon meant a lot to everyone here.

"I got to know him as a soldier and I have to say he was incredible. Bold, strong, loyal and completely and utterly fearless.

"We all carry a sense of sorrow, but also a sense of pride.

"He was a joy to know. He may have gone from our lives, but he will never, ever be forgotten."

Before the service ended, Mr White and Pte Young's grandad Fred Fox unveiled the school's roll of honour.

On it are names of former pupils who were killed in action during the two world wars. It now bears the inscription "Young, JA, Afghanistan, 2009."

Mr White said: "Some of those names are from almost 100 years ago now and, in 100 years' time, when we are no longer around, this memorial will still be being looked at somewhere."

Fred Fox said: "It is a great honour to be on the plaque.

"It will be the biggest honour he ever had and we are very proud of him."

Angie Fox, Pte Young's mum, said the service had made her proud.

She said: "It has made me immensely proud. It just shows you the Orchard Park community all joining together. "It's a tragedy we have lost John, but I hope it does not stop other people joining the Army."

A memorial cup was also unveiled, which will be awarded to a deserving pupil every year.