World News
"He always had a smile on his face," his brother pays tribute
10:10am Wednesday 22nd February 2012
A RUNCORN soldier’s zest for life was celebrated at his funeral.
Pulsating dance music reverberated through St Michael’s Church in Runcorn as the coffin of Signaller Ian Sartorious-Jones was carried up the aisle by comrades from Signal Squadron 200.
The 21-year-old former Pewithall and Heath pupil, joined the army at 16, and was married with an eight-month-old son, Dylan.
He died from a gunshot wound at a Nato patrol base in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province on January 24.
His cap and belt lay on top of his Union Jack draped coffin beside a poppy wreath.
Ian’s wife, Kellyanne chose ‘Elements of Life’ to start the service and ‘Kaleidoscope’ at the end because he loved dance music.
She read a poem: “You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back “Or you can do what he’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”
His brother Alan, aged 26, told hundreds of mourners: “Ian was a loveable chap, big hearted. He always had a big smile on his face.
“He was brave and strong, always protective of the ones he loved.”
He described his brother as an “action man” as he was a keen sportsman, played football and rugby and was a qualified scuba diver.
He competed in Korea and Vietnam as a world junior Taekwondo champion and became a black belt 2nd Dan.
He met Kellyanne when he was 13 and they married on the beach in the Dominican Republic in 2009.
Alan said: “He realised early on they truly loved each other.
“I was his best man. It was the best day of my life and his happiest day.
“When they had Dylan, Ian was very emotional. He was so happy, he cried.”
Vicar Rev Beth Gardener said: “When Dylan was five months old, Ian went on tour.
“The three of them were at home in Runcorn for Christmas.
“Ian’s death was untimely. We offer our condolences to his nearest and dearest and recognise the value and fragility of life.”
His parents, Rob and Mandy, were comforted by relatives as Royal British Legion riders joined soldiers to form a guard of honour.
Donations in memory of Ian will be placed in a trust fund for his son, Dylan.