The Regiment regret to announce the death in action of Pte John (Jack) Howard on 5 Dec 2010.
It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Private John Howard, from 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday 5 December 2010.
Private Howard was serving with 16 Air Assault Brigade's Reconnaissance Force on a patrol ten kilometres south west of the provincial capital of Helmand province, Laskah Gah, when he was fatally wounded during an action conducted against insurgents operating in that area.
Private John Howard, aged 23, was born in Wellington, New Zealand on the 17 April 1987. Having arrived in the United Kingdom he applied to join the Parachute Regiment and subsequently completed the Combat Infantryman's Course held at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, North Yorkshire.
On successfully passing out in November 2007, John was posted to the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, in Colchester. On joining his Battalion he was posted to B Company and deployed to Afghanistan in March 2008 on Operation HERRICK 8. During his time with 3 PARA, he deployed on exercises in the Netherlands, Norway, Kenya and the USA. Throughout this period John served with distinction and was identified by his Regiment as a potential high flyer with much to offer.
True to form, in April 2010 he volunteered for service with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF) and successfully completed the Brigade Reconnaissance Force cadre, excelling during the demanding build up training, before deploying on Operation HERRICK 13. During this time he qualified as a Sharp Shooter and a Team Medic.
Right from the outset of the tour he rapidly established himself as a leading personality in his section and platoon. His sense of humour and easy going attitude made him an immensely likeable figure whose friendships with his comrades spanned both rank and age. He had been at the very forefront of all the Brigade Reconnaissance Force operations up to the point when his life was tragically taken. All of those who knew John will be poorer for the loss of this engaging, compassionate and inspiring young man.
He leaves behind his parents Roger and Anne, two sisters Charlotte and Isabella, and his girlfriend Sophie.
Lieutenant Colonel James Coates, Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment said: "Private Jack Howard was the archetypal Paratrooper. Choosing to leave behind a life in his native New Zealand, he volunteered for the challenges of service in The Parachute Regiment and rose to those challenges time and time again. Jack was selected for service with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF) of 16 Air Assault Brigade and moved across to this elite unit from 3 PARA in July of this year.
"He had always aspired to serve in this role, very much in the vanguard of operations in Afghanistan, and he fulfilled his aspiration in spades. He was an exceptional operator and made a real impact on all those who had the pleasure to work with him. This was his second tour in Afghanistan.
"Jack died on 5 December 2010 during an operation in the area of Zaburabad in central Helmand, which aimed to counter the local insurgent threat and bring governance and development to the area. Whilst his attachment to the BRF took him away from 3 PARA, he was and will always be, part of the 3 PARA family.
"Indeed, more recently the BRF have served at the cutting edge of 3 PARA strike operations in Nad Ali District, supporting us in our task to bring security and a better life to the people of central Helmand. We have never seen so much opportunity for change in Afghanistan before and Jack's recent contribution to that change will be his lasting legacy.
"Where others might have chosen the easy option in life, Jack lived his dreams in full knowledge of the risks involved. He was a brave and utterly dependable man and a good friend to all. The Regiment has lost a rising star.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents Roger and Anne and family at this distressing time. We pledge to remember him always and to honour his memory in all of our actions across Helmand over the coming months and beyond. Utrinque Paratus."
We have been receiving enquires as how best to pass messages of condolence to Pte Howard's parents, family and friends, particularly as the funeral will be held in NZ. We have therefore opened a Memorial Page on PARADATA on which condolence messages can be posted. This book will be available for viewing by anyone who is a member of PARADATA ( which is free to join) and in due course, the book and its contents can be printed off and made into a book to present to the parents. http://www.paradata.org.uk/people/john-howard-1
Private John Howard, aged 23, was born in Wellington, New Zealand on the 17 April 1987. Having arrived in the United Kingdom he applied to join the Parachute Regiment and subsequently completed the Combat Infantryman's Course held at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, North Yorkshire.
On successfully passing out in November 2007, John was posted to the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, in Colchester. On joining his Battalion he was posted to B Company and deployed to Afghanistan in March 2008 on Operation HERRICK 8. During his time with 3 PARA, he deployed on exercises in the Netherlands, Norway, Kenya and the USA. Throughout this period John served with distinction and was identified by his Regiment as a potential high flyer with much to offer.
True to form, in April 2010 he volunteered for service with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF) and successfully completed the Brigade Reconnaissance Force cadre, excelling during the demanding build up training, before deploying on Operation HERRICK 13. During this time he qualified as a Sharp Shooter and a Team Medic.
Right from the outset of the tour he rapidly established himself as a leading personality in his section and platoon. His sense of humour and easy going attitude made him an immensely likeable figure whose friendships with his comrades spanned both rank and age. He had been at the very forefront of all the Brigade Reconnaissance Force operations up to the point when his life was tragically taken. All of those who knew John will be poorer for the loss of this engaging, compassionate and inspiring young man.
He leaves behind his parents Roger and Anne, two sisters Charlotte and Isabella, and his girlfriend Sophie.
Lieutenant Colonel James Coates, Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment said: "Private Jack Howard was the archetypal Paratrooper. Choosing to leave behind a life in his native New Zealand, he volunteered for the challenges of service in The Parachute Regiment and rose to those challenges time and time again. Jack was selected for service with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF) of 16 Air Assault Brigade and moved across to this elite unit from 3 PARA in July of this year.
"He had always aspired to serve in this role, very much in the vanguard of operations in Afghanistan, and he fulfilled his aspiration in spades. He was an exceptional operator and made a real impact on all those who had the pleasure to work with him. This was his second tour in Afghanistan.
"Jack died on 5 December 2010 during an operation in the area of Zaburabad in central Helmand, which aimed to counter the local insurgent threat and bring governance and development to the area. Whilst his attachment to the BRF took him away from 3 PARA, he was and will always be, part of the 3 PARA family.
"Indeed, more recently the BRF have served at the cutting edge of 3 PARA strike operations in Nad Ali District, supporting us in our task to bring security and a better life to the people of central Helmand. We have never seen so much opportunity for change in Afghanistan before and Jack's recent contribution to that change will be his lasting legacy.
"Where others might have chosen the easy option in life, Jack lived his dreams in full knowledge of the risks involved. He was a brave and utterly dependable man and a good friend to all. The Regiment has lost a rising star.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents Roger and Anne and family at this distressing time. We pledge to remember him always and to honour his memory in all of our actions across Helmand over the coming months and beyond. Utrinque Paratus."
We have been receiving enquires as how best to pass messages of condolence to Pte Howard's parents, family and friends, particularly as the funeral will be held in NZ. We have therefore opened a Memorial Page on PARADATA on which condolence messages can be posted. This book will be available for viewing by anyone who is a member of PARADATA ( which is free to join) and in due course, the book and its contents can be printed off and made into a book to present to the parents. http://www.paradata.org.uk/people/john-howard-1
<< Home