Serviceman killed in road crash ‘loved by everyone’

Tributes have been paid to a serviceman killed in Afghanistan.

Devastated relatives and colleagues of RAF Senior Aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths have paid their respects to the 20-year-old man from Exmouth, saying he “could light up a room with his intoxicating smile” and who was known to his friends as Griff.

He died in a road crash on patrol near Camp Bastion, Helmand province, earlier this month.

Senior Aircraftman Griffiths, who grew up in Hampshire before moving with his family to Exmouth three years ago, was due to celebrate his 21st birthday in three weeks. His family had even sent out invitations for the surprise party for his return in November.

His grandfather Peter Griffiths, 78, led the tributes to his grandson, who leaves behind his girlfriend Chloe Gunn, parents Tracey and Nick, two sisters aged 18 and 15, and a 12-year-old brother.

He said: “I am so proud of him. The news has devastated all of us.

“He was a smashing nipper who was loved all round.”

Senior Aircraftman Griffiths joined the RAF in February last year as a gunner.

He was posted to No 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment and was selected as his flight commander’s signaller and driver.

It was while carrying out these duties that he died in a road accident involving a Jackal patrol vehicle.

He had been in Afghanistan for just ten weeks.

His uncle, Grant Jenner, 49, said: “It was his life, he absolutely loved it. He was military through and through. He said the RAF was his second family. He knew the risks but was always beaming.

“He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

His aunt, mother-of-two Ann Jenner, 42, said: “He was a smashing boy. He was very loveable, very caring, very cheeky, and had a beaming smile which could light up any room.

“He will be sorely missed. We thought he was coming home. It is a cruel world.

“It will take a long time for the pain to go, if it ever does.”

Wing Commander Paul Weaver Smith, Commanding Officer Bastion Force Protection Wing, said: “Kinikki was serving his country by protecting a key UK operating base and he died while ensuring the security of others and enabling airpower.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and girlfriend.”