The daddy of an 18-year-old Briton who died on the frontline in Ukraine has described how attending his son’s funeral “was the most difficult thing I have ever done”.
James Wilton, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, had simply completed school when he determined he wished to go to Ukraine as a volunteer fighter to assist fend off Russia’s land, air and sea invasion of its smaller neighbour.
He was killed by a drone in July as he crossed open floor whereas carrying a heavy pack on his again. His pal, an American volunteer named Jason, tried to avoid wasting him however was unable to.
James’s father, Graham Wilton, stated his son had “only just turned 18” when he determined he wished to go to Ukraine, the place the conflict with Russia has been raging on for nearly three years.
As he paid tribute to the “polite, likeable young man”, Mr Wilton stated {the teenager} was resolved to go regardless of his mom and sisters being “dead set against him going”.
‘A few of the finest days of his life’
Mr Wilton stated his son “made it clear” that becoming a member of the combat in Ukraine was what he wished, so he “did everything I possibly could to make sure he knew exactly what was involved and that he could be fully prepared for what may lay ahead”.
Mr Wilton stated James, who “never really had a bad word to say about anyone or anything”, spent three months in Ukraine the place he acquired fight coaching, and he described them as “some of the best days of his life”.
He stated: “Unfortunately it was not to be and I guess you can never fully prepare for what happens on the battlefield.
“I thank Jason for his bravery in attempting to avoid wasting James in a nasty second and for getting him off the battlefield, even when it was in useless.”
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Whereas they tried to run for canopy, weighed down with backpacks, two extra drones appeared and James was fatally wounded by certainly one of them.
When Jason then went again to assist {the teenager}, one of many drones hovered above him and he thought he was about to die as properly, however it flew off with out attacking him.
Jason was subsequently badly injured by a mine.
Talking of his son’s funeral in Ukraine, Mr Wilton stated: “This was the most difficult thing I have ever done.
“I spent two weeks in Kyiv and [with] James’ comrades and mates and it was a really emotional journey.
“I made some friends for life in James’ fellow soldiers and wish them all well.”
