Natasha Jones tragically lost her son, Ethan Jones, whilst he was on a training exercise fulfilling his lifelong ambition of being a Royal Marines Commando.
He was part of a group practising an assault from a landing craft on Tregantle beach, Cornwall, when he went under the water on 21st January. Ethan, 20, was taken to hospital where but later passed away.
At the time his family told the BBC: “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.”
This tragic news reverberated through the Royal Marines Family leaving an immense sadness for Ethan’s family, and for the loss that had been suffered. He was an exemplary Marine and had so much more to give.
Cpl Dave Wright, his section commander, said his attitude was “consistently noted in training”.
“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.
Natasha, who shares many of the same qualities of her son, courage, determination, selflessness, has honoured her son’s memory through fundraising with the support of Ethan’s troop members, training team, family and friends.
Last March, as the pandemic began to take hold of our lives, Natasha ran the Bath Half Marathon in his memory. It was an incredibly moving and emotional day. She raised an astonishing £18,843.32!
Whilst Natasha was running, their local community had also organised a walk that would take place at the same time. They all asked for donations to be made for Natasha’s fundraising page.
Another year has passed, an incredibly difficult year for everyone, but once again Natasha and those close to Ethan want to honour his memory and complete challenges that Ethan would have loved.
Natasha has chosen to run the Bath Half Marathon in aid of RMA – The Royal Marines Charity again, along with lots of others who want to support Ethan’s family.
Those running to raise funds in Ethan’s memory are:
- Family – Natasha Jones, Seb Jones, Eleanor Hobbs, Ben Hobbs.
- Royal Marines – Matthew Doey, Harrison Clark, Dom Pope, Daniel Landrey, Dave Wright, Ben Fox, Lewis Kendrick, Matt Johnson, Nick Walmsley, Ben Charlton (Ben will be taking part in a 48-hour running challenge the weekend of 6/7th March 2021.
- School friends – Joe Smithers, Charlie Gates, Charlie Gregory, Isaac Wyatt, Saul Gibb, Alex Higgs (cycling 100m), Oli Hammond, Harry Sloggett.
- Family friends – Clare Jackson, Ellie Barnes, Sam Ellis.
It is abundantly clear that Ethan has left a large hole in so many lives and had left such a lasting impression on so many.
RMA –The Royal Marines Charity supply a lifetime of support to Royal Marines and their families; we will stand by Ethan’s family and we are so incredibly grateful for all the demanding work that Natasha has dedicated to Ethan’s memory. She shares so much of the Commando Spirit that Ethan embodied.
If you would like to contribute to Natasha’s fundraising this year, please follow the link below.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runningforethan1