IT IS five years since Orchard Park lost Private Johnathon Young to a Taliban bomb in Afghanistan.
To mark the anniversary of the 18-year-old's death, his family and friends plan to raise a glass for him at his favourite pub, Pint and Pot, where they gathered for his send-off party.
Private Young's mother, Angie Fox, 43, said: "Johnathon was really well known and respected on this estate.
"Five years have flown by, but it doesn't get any easier for us.
"It seems like only yesterday when we were told Johnathon had been killed."
Angie wants as many people as possible from the estate to come and toast Johnathon's memory with a shot of Jack Daniels – his favourite drink.
Angie said: "There was nowhere else I would have wanted to remember him on the anniversary.
"It was always going to be Pint and Pot."
Private Young, who served with 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, was killed on August 20, 2009, in the Sangin district of Helmand Province.
It was his first operational tour of duty and he had volunteered to deploy as a "battlefield casualty replacement" following a summer of heavy losses for British forces.
Private Young's family have chosen to hold the tribute on Saturday, August 23.
Angie said: "August 20 falls on a Wednesday this year, which is not ideal with people having work the next day.
"We want people to be able to enjoy themselves and remember Johnathon, so we're holding it on the Saturday."
Angie, who lives in Jipdane, hopes to have a military bugler play The Last Post.
"I am also going to approach The Yorkshire Warriors choir and see if they are free to perform on the night," she said.
Private Young attended the former Sir Henry Cooper School, before joining the Army.
Following Private Young's death, the people of Orchard Park, where Angie has lived all her life, rallied to support her and her other children, Carl, 25, and Leah, 16.
"People have been brilliant," said Angie. "It would mean a lot if everyone who knew Johnathon could come to the night we are having for him."
The conflict, which began in October 2001, has claimed the lives of 453 British soldiers.
Angie said: "I am glad we are coming out of Afghanistan. We have been there too long. I think we have made a difference, but we have lost too many lives."
