The 19-year-old joined the army when he was 16 and attended the training college at Harrogate before moving to Bovington in Dorset.

Once he complete his training he went to Germany and then at the beginning of December he went to Iraq for six months.

His mum Sharon, who lives in Sewerby Road, said: "He has fulfilled his dream. From the age of 10 he wanted to drive a tank and that is what he does.

"I am very proud of him. He has been through quite a lot in his young life and he is now doing what he wanted to do.

"It is very hard because I want him home and safe. He's a lovely lad and very sensible, the army has been the making of him. I couldn't wish for a finer son."

Jason also attended Burlington School and has two sisters, Hayley and Zoe, as well as a brother, Shaun, and a niece Skye, who his mum said he adores.

Sharon said: "It was his first Christmas away from home and he missed his family.

"In a way he was looking forward to it because it is what he is trained to do but we have always been close at Christmas."

Jason, who is a trouper, was on high alert over Christmas but he managed to speak to his family on Christmas Day.

His mum said he tries to phone home once a week and they keep in contact via email and by post.

Jason will be back home in April in time for his 20th birthday, but it will only be a short visit and he will then return to Iraq for another couple of months.

He is then expected to go back to his posting in Germany and from there he will move to Catterick in North Yorkshire.

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