Funeral of Territorial Army soldier killed in bomb blast

The funeral will take place today of a Territorial Army soldier who was killed in a bomb blast in Afghanistan.

Private Matthew Thornton, from 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, was killed just 48 hours before Remembrance Day.

Pte Thornton, who had re-enlisted in the TA to serve in Afghanistan, was killed in a bomb blast on November 9.

At the time of his death, his family said the incident would leave "a huge hole in all our lives" and described him as "a dedicated soldier" who was "passionate about the job".

A keen snowboarder, Pte Thornton, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, joined the Territorial Army in 2004.

He left briefly in 2007 but re-enlisted in 2009, volunteering his services for deployment to Afghanistan.

Away from the army, he worked for Yorkshire-based company Premdor, manufacturing door and window frames.

In a statement his family - father Michael, mother Susan, sister Sarah, and brother Nathan - said: "Matthew was a dedicated soldier and passionate about the job. He loved what he was doing. He loved life and lived it to the full - in his work, in his role with the Territorial Army and in his leisure time."

They added: "Matthew will be greatly missed by his family, his TA colleagues and his friends. His death leaves a huge hole in all our lives."

Lieutenant Colonel Ian Crowley MC, commanding officer, 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, paid tribute to a "fine soldier and even finer man".

He said: "Private Matthew Thornton displayed that he had the volunteer ethos in spades. He was a fine soldier and an even finer man."

Pte Thornton was patrolling with a small group of soldiers when they were caught in an attack involving small arms fire and grenades. As Pte Thornton responded he was caught in a bomb blast and died.

His funeral will take place at All Saints Church, South Yorkshire