THE memory of a soldier who gave his life while serving in Afghanistan is to live on at Britain’s biggest Army base.

Sergeant Jonathan Matthews died on July 28, 2008, while on patrol with the Afghan Army near the capital of Helmand province Lashkar Gah.

He was on a foot patrol helping to protect Afghan Police. Just after 10am the patrol was warned by local civilians that Taliban fighters lay ahead.

As the patrol went to investigate, a single shot struck Sgt Mathews. He was evacuated to Camp Bastion but despite the best efforts of the medics, died of his injuries.

Now an annexe to the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess at the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick Garrison, where he was an instructor, has been named after him.

A plaque was unveiled by his widow Shona Matthews who was joined at the ceremony by her daughter, Megan, and Sgt Matthews’ brother David and several other family friends along with senior representatives from his regiment and regimental association.

Born in Edinburgh, Sgt Matthews was a sniper and reconnaissance soldier with The Highlanders The 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

He had served on operational tours in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Kosovo before volunteering to join the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment battlegroup for the tour in Afghanistan.

Recalling his time as an instructor at the ITC, the commanding officer of the 1st Infantry Training Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Ball, said: “Being an instructor in the ITC is a really important task.

“He was not only training the next generation of recruits and infantry soldiers but also creating lasting memories in the minds of those young men.

“Sgt Jonathan Matthews was one of those people who created those lasting memories - and we are immensely grateful to the family for allowing us to use his name on this plaque.”

Sgt Matthews’ brother David, who himself served in the Army for 23 years, said the unveiling of the plaque showed the Army had not forgotten its fallen heroes.

“His daughter, Megan, was just a young child when Jonathan was killed aged 36.

“It is a bit surreal for her today - but she understand the importance of this plaque.

“People will walk past and wonder who this man was and investigate who he was and find out that he was an instructor at the Infantry Training Centre who paid the ultimate price while serving his country.”

Mr Matthews added: “Ultimately the good thing is that Jonathan’s memory will not be forgotten and the plaque will serve as reminder to all those who follow in his footsteps.”