The grieving father of an 18-year-old British volunteer killed by a Russian drone while trying during his first mission in Ukraine and said that his son was a “experienced, sympathetic young man.”
James Wilton, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, left the university and traveled to become a member of international hunters, against the wishes of his mother and sisters, because he wanted to make a difference and those who suffer from the war.
He was killed in July in a drone attack when crossing open terrain with a heavy package on his back and could not be saved, despite the efforts of his friend, an American volunteer called Jason.
The father of the Lord Wilton Graham said: “My son James had only turned 18 when he decided he wanted to do volunteer work and fight in Ukraine.
'I did not necessarily agree with his decision about this, but we discussed extensively about why he wanted to do this.
“He had just finished the university and was not really sure what he wanted from life.
“But from our conversations he made it clear to me that this was what he wanted to do.”
Graham then described his son as a 'Experienced, sympathetic young man and never really had a bad word to say about someone or something '.
James Wilton, 18, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, who traveled to become a member of international hunters in Ukraine, was killed by a Russian drone during his first mission fights
James Wilton's funeral that took place in Ukraine
The destroyed father had driven his son To Manchester Airport for his flight to Krakow.
“I also said that he had to speak with his sisters and his mother before he left what he did, but they were going to death against him,” said Graham.
“But James came up and he would have gone anyway, so he had my blessing and knew I was here if he needed me.”
Graham said his son spent three months in Ukraine where he received combat training, and he described them as “some of the best days of his life.”
He said: 'Unfortunately it was not and I think you can never fully prepare for what is happening on the battlefield.
“I thank Jason for his courage in trying to save James at a bad moment and to get him from the battlefield, even if it was in vain.”
The American told the Sun -newspaper how they crossed open terrain, 20 meters apart, when teenager the Lord Wilton froze after seeing a Russian drone above them.
Jason said: 'I shouted at him:' We have to move, we have to move! “Then the drone moved and started floating 20 meters above me. '
According to Jason, the drones floated over them and forced the young Brit to make a desperate decision – for safety or stand and fight.
Ukrainian soldiers of 43rd Brigade work on a Soviet era pawn Self pushed Houwisser in the direction of Chasiv Yar, Ukraine on January 27, 2025
He sprinted, but the drone followed him and hit just 30 meters from the Geul line where safety was.
“When the drone was on him, James never made a chance,” he said.
When Jason then returned to help the teenager, one of the drones floated above him and he thought he was also about to die, but it flew away without attacking him.
Jason was then seriously injured by a mine.
Graham Wilton made the journey of 1,800 miles to Ukraine for the funeral of his son.
He said: “This was the hardest thing I've ever done.
'I spent two weeks in Kiev and (with) James' comrades and friends and it was a very emotional journey.
'I made some friends for life in James' colleague soldiers and wish them all the best.
'I still have contact with some of them and now have a greater understanding of what their lives are like.
'I want to thank the international legion of Ukraine and the armed forces of Ukraine for a moving funeral and tribute.
'Also the people in Ukraine who really feel welcome.
'It is a beautiful country that just tries to survive.
“I hope this will make people aware of the situation in Ukraine, and one tragedy can finally do something good.”
