Jonathon Douglas Crow

Jon, as he was always known, was born on 17th December 1960, in Falkirk. His parents, Geoffrey and Barbara also had one other son – Paul Everard Crow – who was born two years and one month later, in January 1963. Jon attended primary school in Petersham, where he was a Sea Scout, followed by his secondary education at Sheen Grammar School.

Jon enjoying childhood

Here he began to show his natural athleticism, being part of the Kingston Wheelers cyclo-cross team and won a national championship in 1974. After a year in the 6th Form at Kingston Polytechnic, Jon enlisted in the Army on his seventeenth birthday, and requested to serve in Airborne Forces as an infantryman.

Jon in Belgium

After completing his training, Jon was posted to the Third Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (3 PARA). He made many friends, especially amongst those of his fellow ‘Toms’ who shared his affection for fishing, gliding and downhill skiing. His love of the outdoors, plus his splendid personal and professional qualities marked him out as a potential officer; he had already passed the aptitude tests for helicopter pilot training.

Jon in Oman

In April 1982 3 PARA was the Spearhead Unit of the British Army, ready for deployment anywhere in the world at 24 hours’ notice. In this role they joined 3 Commando Brigade of the Royal Marines, then embarked in the P&O liner SS Canberra and sailed for the South Atlantic on April 9th. Six weeks later they landed on the Falkland Islands in the early hours of Friday May 21st. The unit subsequently marched over forty miles of rough terrain to reach the start line for its final objective, Mount Longdon. Early on in the long and bitter battle for that strongly-held position Jon Crow was killed.

With funds raised in his memory, the library at the Star and Garter Home for disabled ex-servicemen in Richmond was refurbished. There is a plaque in the library recording this fact. Like his colleagues of 3 PARA who also gave their lives on Mount Longdon, Jon will never be forgotten.