| Location | Hove |
| Age | 25 years |
| Date of Birth | 6/1982 |
| Visitors | 3,996 since 07/02/2007 |
| Creator |
Second Lieutenant Jonathan Bracho-Cooke, 24, of 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment
died as a result of injuries sustained by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack against his
patrol in the As Sarraji District of Basra City.
Second Lieutenant Jonathan Bracho-Cooke was serving with Chindit Company, based at the Old State
Building in the centre of the city. He was commanding a patrol of Warrior Armoured Fighting
Vehicles, which were travelling to Basra Palace, the Headquarters of the Basra City South Battle
Group, when the incident happened.
Second Lieutenant Jonathan Carlos Bracho-Cooke
Second Lieutenant Jonathan Bracho-Cooke was born on 13 June 1982. He lived in Hove and joined the
army at the age of 22. Engaged to Laura he was due to get married in August this year.
On 8 May 2005, Second Lieutenant Jonathan Bracho-Cooke began his army career at the Royal Military
Academy Sandhurst. On completion of his officer training and Infantry Platoon Commander's
Battle Courses he reported for duty with 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment,
serving on operations in Basra City, southern Iraq.
Second Lieutenant Bracho-Cooke had been in Iraq since the New Year and was always asking questions,
trying to improve how he did business and seeking the best solutions to problems. Diligent and eager
to learn, he was a very promising young officer who had a bright career ahead. He was excited about
being in Iraq and proud to be leading his Kingsmen, the soldiers serving under his command.
He demanded nothing but the very best from and for his Kingsmen. They in return respected him and
were extremely fond of him. They saw him as a caring and compassionate leader who despite having
only been in command for a relatively short time had made a huge impression on them. To a man they
feel privileged and honoured to have had him as their Platoon Commander.
Known as 'BC' to his friends, Second Lieutenant Bracho-Cooke's brother officers will
remember him as a cheerful and friendly person who always had time for those who needed it. They
particularly liked his ‘off the wall' sense of humour which manifested itself in various
ways, either by keeping them up late with his antics or by waking them up with the offer of a jaffa
cake.
He was devoted to his fiancée Laura and whilst others discussed buying new cars and going on
holidays on their return to the UK, he would talk passionately about wedding plans and spending
quality time with her. Hugely talented and extremely popular he will be remembered as a loving
fiancé, talented officer, comrade and friend.
Second Lieutenant Chris Ibbotson, who went through training and joined the Regiment with Second
Lieutenant Jonathan Bracho-Cooke, said:
"He was faultless; the nicest guy you could hope to meet. His sense of humour was key to who he
was. He was fit too and a better runner than most, no matter how many cigarettes he smoked."
Jon in TA days
Jon is the third from the right. This is the 2002 floods, at Banja Luka Metal Factory, Bosnia.
Good man
I had the pleasure of serving with Jon in Bosnia back in 2001 in his TA days. One of the best people Ive worked with and as nice a person as one could wish to meet.
Rest well John, I may not have known you for long but you remain large in my thoughts.
Fallen but not forgotten
I wont forget the day I heard the sad news, truely a life taken far too soon.
Jon you will be in my thoughts and prayers and Rememberance sunday will take on a new meaning for me from now on.
You will be missed my friend.
Love Ali
For Those Who Mourn, And Those Who Wait.
As this year draws closer to its end and
Passes through Christmas and New Year then is no more
We look back and remember those
Who last year and the year before
Were here
As the lights, and Carols and all the trappings
Surround us once again and those
We love are far away this Christmas
We think of them and those back home
And pray
Those who mourn - whose son or daughter’s name adorns a stone
Can only think of Christmases gone by
We who look on and weep for them
Can only say, ‘There, but for the Grace of God, go I’
And tell them:
You are not alone, nor forgotten, and -
Though your child’s name was carved with pride in that cold stone
Their names were written also in our hearts
And yours: your bleeding, battered hearts which beat for them
Will, as long as you’re alive
Remember them with love and pride
For what is a life that was loved but now gone?
A hundred-thousand memories: a million tears, which now though sad
Were once - back then - happy, too, when you laughed together
The memories, the tears both poignant and glad
Are there for you to keep the while your grieving heart beats
And - for as long as your heart beats - they will never die.
Much love
Julie
x x x x x x x
Remembrance
I bought a poppy today to especially remember Jon. I've also added his name to a special list at my church of friends and relatives I've lost in recent years, to be remembered in Services of Remembrance.
He is always in my thoughts and prayers and always will be. I never stop thinking about the day I heard the news, nor the day I attended his funeral. I will always remember him with happiness and honour and will tell others of his bravery, heroism and kindness.
An unforgettable friend.
Love John Wells
Fellow classmate and friend from Cardinal Newman School & Sixth Form Centre.
Remembering our Fallen...
POPPIES.
P UT A POPPY ON YOUR LAPEL
O VER YOUR HEART - WEAR IT WELL
P LEASE REMEMBER THOSE WHO DIED
P RAY FOR THOSE THEY LEFT BEHIND
I N OUR HEARTS THEY SHALL REMAIN
E NGLAND’S BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE
S HOW YOUR PRIDE TODAY
For Jonathan's mum:
Your eyes are filled with tears
Your heart is filled with pain
There's nothing that you wouldn't do
To see your son again
Your arms ache with longing
You want to hold him near
Your mind is filled with memories
You hold them oh so dear
He was your son! Your pride and joy
You loved him like no other
He loved you too - so very much!
His lovely, loving mother
The days just seem to drag now -
It's so long since you heard him laugh...
And yet the time has gone so fast!
You wish you could turn it back
Back to the time before he was gone
Before your world fell apart
Before that day when time stood still
And broke your mother's heart
You feel so numb
Yet you feel such pain!
How can this be true?
There seems no shelter from the rain
The sun just can't break through
There's nothing I can do for you
And no words I can say
I can only send my love
And pray for you each day
Pray that God will help you walk
This path you didn't choose
Pray that He would pick you up
When you're feeling battered and bruised
I pray that He will help you
Be comfort in your sorrow
And give you strength to carry on
And face each new tomorrow
My mothers heart just aches for you
I wish I could make it better
I know I cannot do that
So I send you love in this letter
May memories of your darling son
Bring you happiness, laughter and joy
Always remember - you are his mum
And he was your darling boy.
Much love and respect,
God bless,
Julie
x x x x x x x
(I also wrote the poem below, posted by Violet, when Jonathan's Bttn (and my son's) lost more brave Soldiers on 5th April.)
NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN
G od, please help the families today of
O ur young heroes who were stolen away
N umbness, heartache, grief, pain but
E ternal pride and love for them remain
B rave and selfless
U nswervingly loyal
T heir names will live on
N ever to be gone from
O ur hearts and souls
T hey will not grow old
F our of the best
O h God grant them rest and
R emember the ones left in sorrow
G o with them, please, through the valley
O f tears and shadows and grant that
T omorrow - they may know
T hat their loved ones will never be gone
E ver in our memory, they will always live on
N EVER TO BE FORGOTTEN
Jonathan your one of our HERO'S XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Laura...
You have been on my mind for weeks now, as today has drawn nearer... and today you have been in my thoughts and prayers all day. My heart just goes out to you, Laura, and I pray to God that He will give you strength now and in the future, and that your precious memories of the love you shared with Jonathan will comfort you.
God bless,
Much love,
Julie (Son of a 2 Lancs Soldier)
x x x x x x x
My love to the rest of Jonathan's loved ones, too. X
thoughts and prayers
thoughts and prayers to family and loved ones of jonathan God Bless you and may you RIP X i am a mum of a soldier out in afghan, and heard of jonathan and laura through the SOS forum. Laura you will be in my thoughts constantly tomorrow, we have a wedding later this month and all have been asked to wear a yellow ribbon or item for you , stay strong and cherish those beautiful memories, heartfelt love to you amanda and family xxx
Jonathan doesn't have any gifts yet. Why not be the first to add one?
Click here to leave Jonathan a gift
All proceeds from gifts go to the upkeep of GoneTooSoon and help keep this site free.
Create an ever lasting memorial for your loved ones.
Start here »
Using the options below you can add this memorial to your personal garden.
| I am Jonathan's ... | |
| Add to Garden: | |
| Notifications: | Text Message |
There have been 72 candles lit for Jonathan.
