James Wilton, 18, had no previous military experience when he travelled to the war-torn region to help those suffering – but tragically died just minutes into his first mission
An 18-year-old Brit who volunteered to fight against Russia in Ukraine was killed in a drone strike just minutes into his first mission.
James Wilton, from Huddersfield, in West Yorkshire, had no previous military experience and was just 17 when he left the UK, flying from Manchester to Poland before crossing the border into the war-torn region. His grieving father described him as a “polite, likeable young man” who “never had a bad word to say about anyone” in a touching tribute.
James had travelled to Ukraine against the wishes of his mother and two sisters because he wanted to help those suffering from the war. He was tragically killed by a Russian drone in July whilst crossing open ground with a heavy pack on his back – just 30 metres away from the safety of a trench.
Despite the efforts of his friend, an American volunteer named Jason, the teenager could not be saved. His father, Graham, said: “My son James had only just turned 18 when he decided he wanted to go volunteer and fight in Ukraine. I didn’t necessarily agree with his decision on this but we talked at length about why he wanted to do this.
“He’d just finished college and wasn’t really sure about what he wanted from life. But from our conversations he made it clear to me that this was what he wanted to do.
“I also told him to speak with his sisters and his mother before he left, which he did, but they were dead set against him going,” Graham said. “But James made his mind up and he would’ve gone regardless, so he had my blessing and knew I was here if he needed me.”
Before he passed, James said the three months of combat training he recieved in Ukraine were “some of the best days of his life”, dad Graham added. He told The Sun: “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 trying to save James in a bad moment and for getting him off the battlefield, even if it was in vain
Recalling the horror attack, James’ American pal, Jason, said the pair were crossing open ground 20m apart when James spotted a Russian drone above them and froze. Jason said: “I screamed at him: ‘We need to move, we need to move!’ Then the drone moved and began hovering 20 metres above me.
“Once the drone was on him, James never stood a chance”, he added. After travelling to Ukraine for his son’s funeral, Graham Wilton said: “This was the most difficult thing I have ever done. I spent two weeks in Kyiv and (with) James’ comrades and friends and it was a very emotional trip. I made some friends for life in James’ fellow soldiers and wish them all well.
“I’m still in touch with some of them and now have a bigger understanding of what their lives are like. l’d like to thank the international legion of Ukraine, and the armed forces of Ukraine for a moving funeral and tribute. Also the people in Ukraine who make you feel really welcome. It’s a beautiful country just trying to survive.
“I hope this will make people aware of the situation in Ukraine, and one tragedy can finally do some good.”
