Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2010, Marine Matthew Harrison from 40 Commando Royal Marines, serving as part of Combined Force Sangin, was killed in Afghanistan. His unit, Charlie Company, was conducting a joint reassurance patrol with the local Afghan National Army, south of Patrol Base Seylab Doo, when they were engaged with small arms fire. Marine Harrison was mortally wounded in the attack. He had joined the Royal Marines the year before, and had been awarded a diamond as recognition of being one of the top recruits. To his family he was quiet, warm-hearted, dependable, boundless in energy, someone who couldn’t do anything in just half measures. His Commanding Officer remembers him: "Marine Matt Harrison was brilliant in every sense; as a Royal Marine he was the consummate professional, and in personality he was irrepressible; always wearing his trademark beaming smile. His courage and enthusiasm inspired so many people. I knew him to be a man who was entirely selfless, loyal and dedicated. A King’s Badgeman, a Spartan, a hero, he was by every measure the model Commando who was always there at the front. He died on patrol in central Sangin, tragically on the eve of his 24th birthday, but he died with pride, doing the job he loved and amongst his band of brothers, his friends who will love him forever. He was a young, bright and deeply impressive marine who had an inevitably promising career cut all too short. He was truly one of life’s great men and he will be sorely missed by all in 40 Commando." Matthew, from Hertfordshire, was 23 years old.