Almost 100 tributes have been entered in an online memorial book to a soldier who died in Iraq.

Friends and well-wishers have written dozens of messages of sympathy for Second Lieutenant Jonathan Carlos Bracho-Cooke, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Basra last Monday.

The book has been set up on The Argus website.

The messages will be passed on to 2nd Lt Bracho-Cooke's family, who live in Sandringham Close, Hove.

The 24-year-old had been due to marry his girlfriend Laura Bottomley in August.

He was an officer with the 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and passed out from Sandhurst in April.

Previously he was a member of the Territorial Army's 884 troop, based in Dyke Road, Brighton, and served in Bosnia for six months in 2002.

Daz Lane, from Tonbridge, Kent, wrote in the tribute book: "I was lucky to have known BC for a few years through the TA and he was one of the soundest guys I've ever met. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched."

Stephen Gagola, from Hove, wrote: "Jon was a very genuine person, which is really rare these days.

"I remember a lads' holiday to Newquay some years ago. He never stopped laughing or joking and really made it an amazing trip.

"The first to make a joke and the last to put anyone down. I know he will be missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have known him."

Former colleagues remembered 2nd Lt Bracho-Cooke as a man who always had time for people.

Adrian Keeble, from Alton, Hampshire, wrote: "Jon was a very special person.

He achieved so much in a life so tragically cut short.

"I was privileged enough to serve with him in the TA and in Bosnia.

"He was such a lovely person. He always had time and a smile for people.

"He would go out of his way to help his friends and never had a bad word to say. He didn't have a bad bone in his body. He was a shining example to us all."

  • To add tributes or to read other messages, click here