Damien Jackson

Damien was tragically shot, 4 days before his 20th birthday,in Afghanistan following a fierce
battle. He was a Private in the 3rd Batallion of the Parachute Regiment.
Damien is a former student of South Tyneside College.
His body was brought back to the UK and met at RAF Brize Norton by his heartbroken father, Daniel.

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Private Jackson, from The 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, died as a result of injuries
sustained during a firefight with Taliban forces at approximately 1400 hours local time in Sangin,
central Helmand Province. The incident occurred during a security patrol to clear a Helicopter
landing site.

Private Damien Raymond Jackson

Private Damien Raymond Jackson was born on 9 July 1986. He lived in South Shields, Tyne and Wear and
joined the Army in November 2003, completing his basic training at the Infantry Training Centre at
Catterick, North Yorkshire. An enthusiastic, robust and physically fit Paratrooper, Pte Jackson
passed his Combat Infantry Course (PARA) Training and Pre-Parachute Selection course (P Company)
with flying colours. In June 2004 he joined A Company, The 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment.

During his time with A Company, Private Jackson completed several overseas exercises and two
operational deployments. In January 2005 he deployed to Canada with the company to complete Exercise
Frozen Star and in March 2006 deployed to Oman on Exercise Desert Eagle to conduct pre-Afghanistan
deployment training. Pte Jackson showed typical fortitude and determination to recover quickly from
an injury whilst conducting a Long Range Parachute Insertion on Exercise Frozen Star.

Private Jackson had also completed two successful operational tours with the Battalion, firstly to
Northern Ireland in June 2004 and, secondly, to Basrah Province, Iraq. Afghanistan was Private
Jackson’s third operational tour with the Regiment. An extremely experienced and reliable
Paratrooper, Pte Jackson was also a team medic and had shown a keen interest in becoming a combat
medic. He had also been recommended for promotion to Lance Corporal.

A keen football fan and Sunderland AFC fanatic, Pte Jackson made every effort to return home to
catch as many matches as he could at the Stadium of Light, where he was a season ticket holder. Pte
Jackson also enjoyed athletics and ran for his local athletics club, the South Shields Mariners,
both before joining the Army and whilst at home on leave. He was particularly proficient at 400m and
800m running.

Popular, hard working and pro-active Pte Jackson was an extremely competent and reliable
Paratrooper. His strength of character and level-headedness helped him maintain a focused and
professional attitude to any task he was given and his infectious sense of humour allowed him to
conduct his duties always to the best of his abilities and always with a smile.


Private Damien Jackson
[Picture: MOD]
Pte Jackson’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Stuart J C Tootal, said of him:

"Private Damien Jackson was an excellent young soldier who represented the very best of what
being a paratrooper is all about. Extremely popular and a superb sportsman, he was also highly
professional and always took care of those around him.

"Having joined the Regiment in 2004, Damien quickly made his mark within the Battalion and
served in numerous theatres including Northern Ireland and Iraq. Damien died doing the job he loved
and fighting to protect his fellow paratroopers.

"One of the very best in all respects, he will be sadly missed by all his comrades in 3 PARA
and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

Above all Pte Jackson was a friend to all, a great character and was full of life. He was an
extremely popular member of 3 PARA and he will be sorely missed by all who were privileged to serve
alongside him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time. He will never be
forgotten.

Pte Jackson's father, Daniel, gave the following tribute to his son:

"I wish everyone to know just how extremely proud I am of my son Damien – of all that he has
achieved in his lifetime and of the fact that he died, when duty called, protecting others, in the
service of his country.

"A fine, upstanding South Shields lad, Damien was immensely proud to have achieved his ultimate
ambition in becoming a member of the finest regiment in the British Army.

"He will be missed and fondly remembered by everyone who knew him. My family and I are
desolated at this news but we will strive to seek inspiration from the example of his courage.

"We fully support the British Army in Afghanistan whilst in no way supporting or condoning a
government policy which has placed our young men and women in such dreadful danger. We now ask
everyone to allow us the opportunity to share our grief in peace. I thank you all."

On learning of Pte Jackson's death Defence Secretary Des Browne said:

"I was greatly saddened to hear that one of our courageous soldiers was killed whilst on a
patrol in Northern Helmand this morning. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. He, like all
our troops in Afghanistan, was bringing security and stability to Helmand so that the Afghan people
can rebuild their country after decades of war and the tyranny of the Taliban."