Dad of a Brit soldier killed fighting ISIS in Syria thought he was working as a farmer in Wiltshire
Dean Carl Evans died in a firefight after travelling to the Middle East
A GRIEVING dad believed his son was working as a farmer in Wiltshire when he learnt he had been killed fighting against jihadis in the Middle East.
Dean Carl Evans, 22, from Reading, Berkshire, died in a firefight alongside Kurdish forces in Manbij in the Aleppo district of Syria.
His father John Evans has spoken of his shock at finding out his 22-year-old son had flown out to the war-torn country to fight ISIS - two days after his tragic death.
Mr Evans told ITV: "I thought, no that can't be right, but obviously it was. It still hasn't sunk in properly yet.
"I had no idea whatsoever that he had joined the People's Protection Units until I was informed of his death… I thought he was just a farmer in Wiltshire.
Do not, anyone, go out there. You might feel you're doing good but at the end of the day, you're not achieving anything.
John Evans
"I'd have been more happy if he'd carried on being a farmer in Wiltshire.
"I'd have wished him to better things but that was his wish and he passed away and I can't take that away from him."
A video was also posted online by Kurd supporters in tribute to Mr Evans in which he is seen firing weapons on the battlefield.
In it, he reveals how he lost his mother four years ago and tells how his fellow fighters in Syria had accepted him as part of the family.
It is believed Dean was a member of International Brigades of Rojava, a volunteer group fighting the terror fanatics in northern Syria.
He fought with the YPG, also known as the People’s Protection Units, a unit of highly trained Kurdish soldiers.
Around 100 western volunteers are believed to have joined Kurdish forces in Syria.
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Dean's dad said the youngster had always been "army barmy" - and would often ask for pretend guns as a present at Christmas.
When he was older he tried to join the military but failed because of his asthma.
But Mr Evans is not aware of how his son got involved with the YPG.
He added: "He always wanted to do good for other people. That's when obviously he went off and…[joined the YPG].
"'It makes me feel proud of him. I wish he'd…the reason he weren't telling me was because he wanted to do good for the right people but he knew I would disagree with it and I'd try my best to discourage him.
"He'd do anything for anyone. Very clever at school. He got on with everyone at school. He was a fantastic son.
"He was very clever, very intelligent and it's a sad way…it's made it harder."
The devastated dad is now waiting to find out if his son has been buried.
He is now pleading with other young solidier not to get caught up in the violence overseas.
He said: "It's a war that's never gonna end. It's a waste. A never ending situation.
"I'd strongly advise them [other parents] to give their son advice not to go out there and do it.
"Too pointless, too dangerous. It's all religion and politics. Do not, anyone, go out there. You might feel you're doing good but at the end of the day, you're not achieving anything."
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