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Bridlington soldier Matthew was 'a true hero'
AN HEROIC soldier from Bridlington has died in Afghanistan after a brave attempt to rescue a comrade.
Cpl Matthew James Stenton, 23, of Queensgate had only been in Afghanistan for three weeks when he was killed by insurgents north of Lashkar Gah last Wednesday.
Matthew had been commanding a Viking Armoured Vehicle on the lookout for roadside bombs when the insurgents attacked, shooting and wounding another soldier.
Brave Matthew had rushed to his colleague's aid, only to be shot and killed alongside Lance Cpl Stephen Daniel Monkhouse, of Greenock, Scotland who had attempted to provide cover for Matthew as he carried out his heroic rescue.
Tragically, Matthew would have been celebrating his 24th birthday tomorrow and his devastated father, Michael, stepmum Gillian and sister Charlotte, 20, have been left with dozens of birthday cards and parcels sent by friends and family before Matthew's death.
Speaking from the family home in Bridlington, dad Michael said: "He worked hard at his job in the Army, moving up the ranks and becoming a Corporal Tank Commander, doing what he believed, trying to make the world a better place for all mankind.
"But he paid the ultimate price – with his life – trying to save a fallen comrade.
"He died a true hero."
The family, who are originally from Wakefield but moved to Bridlington eight years ago, are travelling down to Wootton Bassett today where Matthew's body will be brought home and a street ceremony will take place, including a fighter jet fly-past.
Gillian said that although the family were looking forward to marking Matthew's passing today, she admitted that it would be difficult for them to contain their emotions.
"You see it on the television, but you never think that it's going to happen to you," she said.
"When the planes fly past they tip their wing down to the crowd and that will be Matthew saying goodbye.
"It is going to be hard for us. Just when you think you can't cry any more than you already have, it's always there under the surface and I'm sure it will all come pouring out again on Thursday."
Matthew had joined the Army within two weeks of leaving school in Wakefield aged 16.
He was passionate about his role and had recently become one of the army's youngest Tank Commanders after passing the Challenger 2 Crew Commanders' course with flying colours.
Michael said: "He loved his job.
"When he had leave, he'd come back to Bridlington and although he enjoyed going out drinking in the town with all his friends, he was always anxious to get back to the Army way of life.
"We are devastated by his death, we miss him and never thought this would never happen to Matthew, but it did and we are trying to come to terms with it."
Matthew was a member of the Royal Dragoon Guards and had already completed two tours of Iraq.
The Commanding Officer of the RDG, Lt Col James Carr-Smith described him as a passionate soldier who always looked out for others: "It was typical of Cpl Matt Stenton that on the afternoon of Wednesday July 21 he was yet again looking out for those more junior than himself," he said.
"He died in command of an armoured vehicle whilst successfully extracting a casualty and laying down fire on an insurgent position.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We will miss him hugely but his sacrifice will never be forgotten."
One of Matthew's closest comrades, Cpl Nathan Stead, Reconnaissance Troop, RDG, added: "Matt was without doubt the most outstanding soldier I have ever met. He was a true friend and a joy to be around."
Matthew's family thanked the Army and members of the Royal Dragoon Guards for supporting them through this difficult time and said that when they receive the The Elizabeth Cross medal, granted to the next of kin of Armed Forces personnel killed on operations, they hope to hold a small ceremony for Matthew at Bridlington's war memorial on Prospect Street.
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Weather for Bridlington
Thursday 09 February 2012
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Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
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