Emotional tributes at roadside memorial to fallen soldier Jonny Allott (From Bournemouth Echo)

Emotional tributes at roadside memorial to fallen soldier Jonny Allott

8:50am Tuesday 9th March 2010 in

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A GRASS verge at the side of a busy road has become an emotional temporary memorial for Dorset’s latest fallen soldier, Rifleman Jonathon Allott.

The popular 19-year-old from north Bournemouth died from his injuries on Friday after being caught by an improvised explosive device in Sangin, Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Members of his family set up the memorial around a Union flag in Kinson Road, where candles were lit for him on Sunday night.

It is now a focus for friends, neighbours, relatives and strangers to pay their own tributes to the man described as “inspirational” by his commanding officer.

The most poignant message there is from Jonny’s mother Andrea, signed “Mummy” with lots of kisses. “I never thought this time would come. My life will be forever changed,” it reads.

His girlfriend, Stephanie Orr, 23, who is staying with the family, said: “We’re all pulling together. We had candles lit for him and a friend left a packet of his favourite biscuits. There’s a bottle of Stella for him. We know he is going to have a big party.”

Jonny’s grandmother Ann Johnson said: “He was a lovely lad. He shouldn’t have been taken away. He was too good.”

Jonny, who joined 3rd Battalion The Rifles in Edinburgh last June, met Stephanie seven months ago in Scotland, where she lives with her two young children.

“He had just told his mum that we were going to move down here. He only had about three weeks left over there.

“I spoke to him the night before. He said: ‘I’ll phone you’. I’ve still got all his letters, texts and Facebook messages.”

Stephanie received a telephone call to tell her that Jonny had been critically injured, followed by another to say that he had died. “I jumped on a train and travelled all night to get here.

“He was funny, witty, a little charmer with broad shoulders and chocolate button eyes. I haven’t been able to tell the children yet,” she said.

At the memorial, Perrie Rendell, 18, who was a couple of years below Jonny at Kings High School, said: “He was really popular. He was never in a bad mood. He loved being in the Army. It was what he wanted to do.”

Megan Croft, 17, said: “He was lovely. He was never horrible to anybody and was friends with everybody. Everyone loved him.”

Charmaine Fisher, 18, who shared a house with him and her boyfriend before Jonny joined the Army, fought back tears as she said: “He always had a great smile on his face. He was just so happy. He’s always been so kind to people. ”

World War Two veteran Eric Munday, who was himself 17 when he joined the Royal Navy, said he had wanted to pay his respects. “It brings back some of my own wartime experiences. It’s a shame we can’t put paid to all these wars.”

Rachel Hayward, assistant head teacher at Kings High, said: “The whole school community is devastated to hear the news of Jonny’s death. He was a great asset to the school during his time here.

“He was an excellent sportsman and team player, popular with both staff and students, had a real sense of humour and was a delight to teach. He will be sadly missed. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.”

Jonny’s grandmother Ann Johnson said: “He was a lovely lad. He shouldn’t have been taken away. He was too good.”

Ward councillor Claire Smith said: “I’d just say how proud we are of our boys out there. He has made the ultimate sacrifice and deserves our most heartfelt thanks for keeping us safe.”