‘I wish I could have taken his place in heaven because his life had just begun’ (From Bournemouth Echo)

‘I wish I could have taken his place in heaven because his life had just begun’

7:00pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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These are the heartrending words of a mother whose soldier son died aged 19.

Andrea Johnson, the mum of Jonny Allott from Kinson in Bournemouth, will today be waking up to her son’s repatriation at Wootton Bassett.

Like the rest of her family she feels too devastated to talk, but she wrote out her own tribute after Jonny died serving with 3 Rifles on Friday.

Her message said in part: “I’m so very proud of my son Jonathon.

“He was always laughing with a cheeky smile on his face and he was very proud to be a rifleman.

“I only wish I could have taken his place in heaven because his life had just begun.

“The last phone call I got from my boy he told me he loved me and he couldn’t wait to do more tours and collect medals.”

Rifleman Allott will be flown into RAF Lyneham for the slow procession past the lowered standards of Royal British Legion veterans.

The streets will fall silent and a single bell will toll as his coffin, along with those of four other soldiers, is driven past the town hall shortly after 2pm.

He died from injuries after being caught in the blast of an Improvised Explosive Device in Sangin, around three weeks before he was due to come home.

His fellow soldiers remembered him as inspirational, diligent and brave. The hand-written notes of his closest back in Bournemouth capture the man out of uniform.

Part of the tribute from his 23-year-old Scottish girlfriend Stephanie Orr read: “Jonny had the face of an angel.

“He stole my heart with his witty charm. He was not only my boyfriend but he was my friend, my love, my hero.”

His twin 15-year-old brothers Marc and Daniel wrote tributes, and part of Daniel’s message said: “Jonny, you were my idol.

“All I wanted to do is follow in your footsteps.”

Sister Nikki, 24, a telesales operator, wrote in part: “I miss my gorgeous little brother terribly.

“Jonny was such a brilliant person, always looking after me and giving me hugs so tight that I couldn’t breathe.

“He loved fighting for a cause he truly believed in.”

An extract from his stepdad Colin Smith’s tribute said: “I watched Jonny grow up from a small boy to a dedicated and brave soldier. I will never forget the day when myself and his mum Andrea went to Catterick to see his passing out parade and become a true rifleman, not only a rifleman but a true legend.”

Friends and family have laid their own tributes, flowers and cards in memory of Jonny alongside a British flag at the junction of Kinson Road and Middle Road.

The former Kings High School pupil was remembered as sporty and possessing a smile that ‘lit up a room’.

Friends remembered surfing with him by Boscombe Pier, or simply one of his favourite phrases, ‘proper mint’.

Brother Daniel Allott said: “Jonny you were my idol. All I wanted to do is follow in your footsteps. It was a pleasure to have been your brother. I will miss you so much. I will never forget you. RIP.”

Nephew Josh said: “I am going to miss you so much because I loved you so much and you made me proud you were brave and my hero.”

Mum Andrea said: “Jonathon was everyone’s friend and made them all laugh. He was well loved by everyone of them.”

Marc, brother said: “I thought my big brother was amazing. He was one of a kind.

“I only wish he had made it home to collect his medal.”