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Dead soldier in Afghanistan named | Dead soldier in Afghanistan named |
(40 minutes later) | |
A British soldier killed in Afghanistan's Helmand province has been named as Sgt Jonathan Mathews. | |
Sgt Mathews, 35, from Edinburgh, died from a single gunshot wound after coming under Taleban fire while on foot patrol on Monday. | |
He was a member of 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland. He leaves a wife, daughter and stepson. | |
His death brings the number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 113. | His death brings the number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 113. |
His family said in a statement: "Jonathan trained all his life for the job he was doing, loved what he did, died doing what he loved, he was well respected. | |
"Loved by his wife Shona, daughter Meghan and stepson William and all the family. | |
"A lover of the outdoors, an army man through and through, we will miss him, but it gives us great comfort knowing he died doing what he trained to do." | |
Sgt Mathews' love of soldiering could never be matched by his absolute devotion to his wife and children Lt Col Jamie Campbell | |
Commanding officer Lt Col Jamie Campbell described Sgt Mathews as "courageous, reliable to the core and unwaveringly loyal to all". | |
He added: "But his love of soldiering could never be matched by his absolute devotion to his wife Shona and his children, William and Meghan. | |
"No matter where he found himself he always found time to keep in touch with them." | |
Best friend Sgt Rab McEwan, who had known Sgt Mathews for 14 years, said the death was "a devastating blow". | |
He added: "You are gone from this earth but you are not forgotten. Rest in peace, mate." | |
The shooting happened at about 1000 local time (0530 GMT) on Monday, west of the town of Lashkar Gah, as UK troops patrolled alongside Afghan army personnel. | |
The MoD said the patrol were warned that the Taleban were in the area, but came under fire before they could take up defensive positions. | |
The soldier's battalion was attached to 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment. | The soldier's battalion was attached to 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment. |