Derbyshire marine killed in Iraq

Marine Jason Hylton lived in Church Gresley near Swadlincote

A Derbyshire marine has been named as one of four British service personnel killed in Iraq on Remembrance Sunday.

Marine Jason Hylton, 33, from Church Gresley, was serving in the 539 Assault Squadron of the Royal Marines. He was divorced with two teenage sons.

He was killed when the patrol boat he was in hit an "improvised" bomb on the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra.

Tributes were led by his commanding officer who described him as bright and enthusiastic with a promising career.

The Ministry of Defence said he joined the Royal Marines three years ago, aged 30.

We will best remember him for his infectious smile and for the constant cheerfulness that he brought to the squadron Major Nathan Hale

He had volunteered for his current tour in Iraq after finishing a deployment in the Middle East.

In Iraq he served as a coxswain on a rigid raiding craft.

His squadron's second-in-command, Major Nathan Hale, said: "Marine Jay Hylton was a bright and enthusiastic man who, although joining the Royal Marines older than most recruits, had quickly made his mark within the service and had a promising career ahead of him.

"His unswerving loyalty led him to volunteer for this Iraq tour so soon after joining 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines from his recent deployment to the Middle East.

"An intelligent man, he adapted exceptionally well to his duties as a coxswain, with a level of aptitude far in excess of his peers.

"We will best remember him for his infectious smile and for the constant cheerfulness that he brought to the squadron.

"He will be sorely missed by his many friends in the squadron and the wider Royal Marines family."