Touching tributes to Royal Marine Ethan Jones who drowned in training

“Ethan died fulfilling his dream and doing something he loved”

Tributes have been paid to a Royal Marine from Somerset after he drowned during training.

Friends and family of Ethan Jones shared heartfelt tributes following his death on a Cornish beach earlier this month.

The 20-year-old was 'submerged in sea water for roughly five minutes' while exiting a landing craft on Tuesday, January 21, an inquest heard at Plymouth Coroners' Court yesterday (January 30).

His family said he "died fulfilling his dream and doing something he loved", Somerset Live reports.

His fellow soldiers have hailed his 'unselfishness' and praised him as a 'model' marine.

What happened to Ethan Jones?

Ethan Richard Arthur Jones was born in Bath and lived on Woodpecker Avenue in the Westfield area of Midsomer Norton/Radstock.

He joined the Royal Marines last May.

According to PlymouthLive on Tuesday, January 21, the ambulance service were called at approximately 10pm to reports of a person who had gone underwater at Tregantle Beach in Cornwall.

Scans showed he had a hypoxic brain injury and was demonstrating minimal brain activity. He died on January 24.

The medical cause of death has been identified as hypoxic encephalopathy (brain damage from lack of oxygen) and drowning.

A full inquest will be held later this year.

In a statement his family said: “Ethan died fulfilling his dream and doing something he loved.”

“Joining the Royal Marines was something Ethan had wanted to do for as long as we can remember.

“He wanted to join the best of the best and challenge himself.

"Ethan loved the outdoor lifestyle and was looking forward to serving as a marine on operations around the world.

“We are very proud of all that he achieved.”

His section commander, corporal Dave Wright, also paid tribute. He described Ethan as “the embodiment of what a commando should be.”

Cpl Wright said: “Recruit Jones held a special position within 282 Troop.

'All round exceptional recruit'

"To an outsider he would come across as the model ‘grey man’, but to those who knew him knew he was a capable and all round exceptional Royal Marines recruit.

"His model personal qualities were consistently noted by the training team – as an example, during an exercise, the troop were fatigued, yet Jones took it upon himself to place his equipment down at the top of a hill, go back down and carry the kit of a fellow recruit who was struggling with an injury.

“He is a true loss to the Royal Marines as he would have inevitably achieved much within his career.

“Recruit Jones was the embodiment of what a Commando should be.”

Fellow recruit and good friend, Daniel Landrey, said Ethan always had “a pasty in his hand” and never complained.

He said: “It feels strange to write this of Ethan, almost as if he is looking down at us and laughing as we do it.

“He was our best mate and we know he would not want this much fuss made of him. Lucky for him it does not take more than a few words to describe Jonesy.

“When he didn’t have a pasty in his hand, he was getting the job done. No complaining, no fuss, just always sending it.

“We will miss you Jonesy.”

'Ethan led by personal example'

Lt Col Oliver Coryton, Royal Marines commanding officer for commando training, said Ethan's “spirit endures.”

He said: “Commando training is hard, deliberately so.

"And that is why Ethan decided to join the Royal Marines; for the challenge, the adventure and to be part of something greater than himself.

“Completely focused upon fulfilling his potential, it was evident to all that he had an exceptionally promising career ahead.

“His loss has been keenly felt by those closest to him, yet his spirit endures, inspiring others to be as good as they can be.”

Major Ian McGill, Royal Marines officer commanding Portsmouth company, hailed Ethan's many qualities.

He said “Ethan led by personal example on camp as well as in the field, he was identified early on in training as a man of promise - formally recognised as one of the few recruits in his troop selected for additional responsibility as a Recruit Section Commander.

"As he approached the final weeks of training he was awarded the Commando Medal - nominated by his peers in a closed ballot as the individual who best personifies the commando spirit: courage – to get out front and do what is right, determination – to never give up, unselfishness – to always put others first, and cheerfulness in the face of adversity.”

Col Simon Chapman OBE added: “Ethan’s role as a Section Commander in the latter stages of his training, selected by his instructors for his leadership and tactical acumen; and his award of the Commando Medal, points to the quality and potential of this young Marine, which sadly will not be realised.

"We are the poorer for it.

"But I am certain that the Commando values and spirit he imbued will live on amongst his closest friends and colleagues, and our Corps will be the richer for his part in it.

“We will remember him.”