THE grieving mother of a York soldier killed when his car crashed into a tree has told of her sadness at his death.

Devastated Jacqueline Forde lost her "pride and joy" when her eldest son Jonathan Parr Forde died on Sunday night.

The 21-year-old was killed after his car hit a tree just after 2.30am on the B6267 Skipton-on-Swale to Ainderby Quernhow road.

A passenger in the car, Paul Gallagher, from Manchester, was also injured and was taken to the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton.

Mr Parr Forde, of Vincent Way, Foxwood, served in the 40 Field Regiment in the Royal Artillery. He was stationed at Thirsk.

He had moved to York, around four years ago, to join the Army and, during his time in the city, lived with Mrs Forde's sister Myrtle Griffiths.

Speaking to the Evening Press, Mrs Forde, of Donaghadee, County Down, said Jonathan was a well liked and popular man, well respected by all his army colleagues.

"I am devastated by his death. He was 21 years old and he was just a fantastic lad," she said.

"He was so full of life. He was my pride and joy, my eldest son. He was a driver in the Army and held all the advanced licences. That is why this accident is so horrific.

"He went into the Army and followed in his father's footsteps. Yesterday, I spoke to the fellow who was in the car with him.

"He was devastated. I just put my arms around him and told him it wasn't his fault. His death is a great loss to me. He was everything to me.

"I have another son, Philip, who is 12. He is the spitting image of his brother. He wants to join the Army too so he can be like Jonathan.

"I am now going to take him home with me to Northern Ireland. He is going to be buried in a full military funeral and he will have a guard of honour."

Mrs Griffiths added: "He was a very well-liked young man. Everybody knew him in York. He was so full of fun.

"He came to York to join the Army and used to love living here and coming back to visit. This is such a tragic loss."

Mrs Forde and Mrs Griffiths will today travel to Northern Ireland, followed by Jonathan's body. He will be buried in Donaghadee, County Down, on Friday.

Updated: 08:32 Tuesday, November 13, 2001