Widow of soldier Jonathan William Mathews calls for comrades to be honoured

THE widow of a soldier killed by the Taliban has called for the three comrades who tried to save his life under a hail of enemy fire should be honoured with bravery awards.

Sergeant Jonathan William Mathews, 35, of The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, died on 28 July last year on foot patrol in Afghanistan.

At the time of his death, Sgt Mathews, from Penicuik, Midlothian, was serving as a mentor and trainer to the Afghan National Army (ANA) while attached to 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment Battle Group in southern Afghanistan.

An inquest heard yesterday that he was on a joint foot patrol with the ANA helping to protect Afghan Police in a town near the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah.

Just after 10am, the patrol came under small arms fire and Sgt Mathews moved into a ditch to take cover and return fire.

As he held up his rifle to shoot, he was hit by a single bullet from an AK47 in his left shoulder.

The bullet moved downwards, by-passing his body armour, shattering his ribs which caused his lung to puncture and massive internal bleeding.

Signalman Lee Townson ran to his aid but couldn't get a radio signal to call for help so had to crawl out of the ditch, while being shot at, to get a better signal.

He said: "He lost consciousness and I couldn't get a signal so I had to crawl back to the compound to radio the other team.

"Once I got back to Sgt Mathews he had regained consciousness but his breathing was laboured and we both tried to get his body armour off.

"I was aware that we were very exposed, rounds started coming back and they went over my head so I grabbed him and began dragging him towards cover."

Sgnl Townson managed to drag Sgt Mathews for ten metres to the safety of the compound.

Commander of the unit Captain Ben Foster came to their aid along with medic Lance Corporal Matthew Narusberg.

L/Cpl Narusberg administered urgent medical treatment.

He said: "At this point the rate of fire on us had increased and we were now being attacked with rocket propelled grenades.

"I was aware that we could now take more casualties and I was concerned about our tactical position. We needed to get out as soon as possible.

"We had to run with him on a stretcher under fire so I threw a smoke grenade for cover."

For 40 minutes the soldiers, along with ANA troops, battled to save Sgt Mathews as they stretchered him out of the compound under heavy enemy fire to a waiting vehicle to take him to a helicopter to transport him to hospital at Camp Bastion for emergency surgery, but he died before arrival.

Assistant deputy coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon, David Masters, recorded a verdict of unlawful killing while on active service. He said: "I am surprised there were no further casualties and that is down to the bravery of those involved.

"It is difficult for me to appreciate why none of you have received any awards."

After the hearing Mrs Mathews, who has a daughter Meghan and stepson William, said:

"They should get recognition for what they did to try and save Jon."