BRAVE Kosta Scurfield who lost his life fighting as a volunteer for the Kurdish people in Syria has been hailed a hero by those who knew him back home in Royston.
Konstandinos Erik Scurfield – known as Kosta – died in combat on Monday in the Hasaka region of the war-torn country – the first Briton to lose his life fighting IS terrorists.
The 25-year-old is believed to have gone to Syria in December to fight alongside the Kurdish forces.
Mark Campbell – a pro-Kurdish rights campaigner – had the difficult task of breaking the news of Kosta's death to his mum.
"It was a very harrowing phone call to have to make. She was understandably very upset and crying.
"I think his mother was slightly comforted by the fact I could tell her the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) have her son's body and that he died in combat, apparently in Hasaka area, and was fighting with Kurdish forces.
"My commitment is primarily involved in getting his body back for them – that's the family's main focus at this moment."
** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated March 6. **
