Ex-Royal Marine killed fighting Islamic State wanted to 'help others', says ex-girlfriend
A FORMER Royal Marine killed while fighting against Islamic State terrorists wanted to "help other people and to make a difference", according to his ex-girlfriend.
Konstandinos Erik Scurfield, from Barnsley in South Yorkshire, was reportedly shot dead near the city of Qamishli in Syria on Monday while fighting alongside Kurdish forces in the war-torn region.
The 25-year-old's former partner has since described him as "amazing" for his "unselfish act".
Jemma Weston said that although the couple had broken up, Mr Scurfield had contacted her to say he wanted to return home to her.
The 23-year-old said that his death had "left a huge hole in my hole".
“It has come as a massive blow. He was the person who got me out of some of the darkest periods in my life," she said, reports the Daily Telegraph.
“He meant an incredible amount to me."
Ms Weston said that her former boyfriend told her that travelling to Syria to fight Islamic State terrorists was something he simply had to do.
He was doing it to help other people and to make a difference
She added: "He was doing it to help other people and to make a difference, I think.
"It was his way of giving something back.
"He was amazing.”
Mr Scurfield, who was an expert in battlefield medicine, is believed to have travelled to Syria three or four months ago.
He is thought to have been hoping to provide medical and humanitarian support.
Last night one of Mr Scurfield's Royal Marine colleagues told the Daily Mail that the situation in the Middle East made him "angry".
He said: "He was very angry about the Middle East and the Islamic State.
"As a unit we had been on standby several times but nothing happened and he was frustrated that the UK was standing back.
"He was a very focused and good Marine, but the Islamic State was his priority."
He added that Mr Scurfield became "tired of seeing what IS were doing to people".
In a statement, his family said that they were "devastated".
It read: "We are devastated to confirm the death of our son Konstandinos Erik Scurfield in Syria where he went to support the forces opposing Islamic State.
"His flame might have burned briefly but it burned brightly with love, courage, conviction and honour and we are very proud of him."
