Sergeant Jonathan William Mathews was shot and killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan on July 28, 2008, while working as a mentor and trainer to the developing Afghan Army.

Known to his friends as Jon, Sergeant Mathews was a married man with a young daughter and stepson. His colleagues described him as professional, courageous and reliable to the core.

Sergeant Mathews was a member of The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland. At the time of his death, he was attached to 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment Battle Group in southern Afghanistan.

He was on a joint foot patrol with the Afghan army, which was helping to protect Afghan police in a town near the provincial capital Lashkar Gah. Just after 10 am, the patrol was warned by local people that Taliban fighters lay ahead. As the patrol went to investigate, a single shot struck Sergeant Mathews. He was evacuated to Camp Bastion but despite the best efforts of all the medics, Sergeant Mathews’ life could not be saved.

Sergeant Jon Mathews was born in Edinburgh on 6th September 1972. At the age of 21 he decided to join the 1st Battalion The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) and on completion of basic training was posted to Fort George, Inverness. A few years later, he moved to Glencorse where he met his wife Shona, later marrying her at Edinburgh Castle.

He climbed the ranks swiftly, undertaking demanding military courses at Brecon and Warminster along the way. Quickly singled out as a man with significant potential, Jon was selected for training as a sniper and a reconnaissance soldier. With experience in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Kosovo behind him, he moved to The Infantry Training Centre in Catterick as a recruit instructor. In July 2006 he was posted to The Highlanders in Fallingbostel as a rifle platoon sergeant in D Company. He made an immediate impact, quickly earning a strong reputation as a capable soldier with a compassionate touch.

When the call came for the Battalion to provide mentors to serve alongside the Afghan army, Sergeant Mathews was quick to step up. He knew the importance of the role and was determined to use his experience and play his part.

Outside of the Army he was a keen sports parachutist, a canoeist and a hill walker, all sports that captured his love of the outdoors and his sense of adventure. But more than anything else, Sergeant Mathews was a family man who was passionate about Edinburgh, his wife and his family.

Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Campbell, Commanding Officer of The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: "The death of Sergeant Jon Mathews has come as a great shock to the Battalion. A hugely popular man, he was a fine, senior non-commissioned officer who loved his job and cared deeply about those in his charge. An experienced field soldier and a simply superb trainer, he rose quickly up the ranks. He always led from the front, inspiring others to follow and with his operational background and determination to make a difference, was ideally suited to the demands of Helmand province.

"An absolute professional, he was courageous, reliable to the core and unwaveringly loyal to all. But his love of soldiering could never be matched by his absolute devotion to his wife Shona and his children, William and Meghan. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time. He will be sorely missed by all.

Sergeant Mathews’ best friend, Sergeant Rab McEwan, said: "“I've known Jon for gone on near 14 years since I joined the Royal Scots at Fort George in 1994. He was the first man I met when I joined B Company. Throughout the years he did not change. Jon was a soldier and would go anywhere and help anyone. His death was a devastating blow to the team and he will be sorely missed by all. None more so than me. You were a good mate Jon and my deepest heartfelt sympathies go out to your wife Shona and your family. You are gone from this earth but you are not forgotten. Rest in peace mate.”