Matthew Telford : Obituary

Sergeant Matthew Telford, of the 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards was one of five British soldiers killed in an attack in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on November 3, 2009.

Also killed were
Warrant Officer Class 1 Darren Chant
, 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards,
Guardsman James Major
, 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards,
Acting Corporal Steven Boote
, Royal Military Police and
Corporal Nicholas Webster-Smith
, Royal Military Police.

Sergeant Telford was 37 and from Grimsby. He leaves a wife, Kerry, and two sons Harry and Callum.

After completing his education at Matthew Humberstone School at the age of 16, Sgt Telford followed his dream of joining the Army.

He was initially based in London and later accepted a transfer to Grimsby’s recruitment office shortly after the birth of Harry, his second son. His older son, nine-year-old Callum, from a previous relationship, lives in London.

Sgt Telford remained there for three years, signing up many young men who were this week serving alongside him in Afghanistan, before being posted to Aldershot as a regimental police sergeant.

Speaking of how the couple first met, Kerry said: “We met on a blind date seven years ago.

“When I met him I knew he was a nice man, that he was different from the others.

“He basically worshipped the ground I walked on from the time we first met.

“We married in 2004, in Mexico, and the whole family came out with us.”

The family had planned a holiday together in the Lake District next month, when Sgt Telford was due to have 13 days’ leave.

The 6ft 4in Grenadier Guard was described as a “gentle giant” by his family, a man who loved the simple pleasures of football, gadgets, cars, films and playing with his young son.

His uncle, William Ferrand, said he died doing the job he loved.

"It was his job and he absolutely loved it. Everybody knows what a wonderful lad he was," he said.

"His two sons are going to be devastated and will miss their father.

"We're a military family, but he was the first one to join at the age of 16."

Sgt Telford had been in Afghanistan since 20 September, 2009.

He was temporarily employed as a mentor to the Afghan National Police.

Sergeant Telford was born in Grimsby on 10 October, 1972. He passed out of the Guards Depot in February 1991 and was immediately posted to the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards.

On amalgamation between the First and Second Battalions in 1993, Sergeant Telford was transferred to the 1st Battalion where he served until 2004. In 2004 he was posted to Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards where he served for two years before being detached as a Regimental Recruiter.

In early 2009 he returned to the Battalion as the Regimental Police Sergeant.

The Ministry of Defence said in a statement: "Sergeant Telford's size, stature and presence were entirely in line with what you would expect of a Regimental Police Sergeant.

"However, what you found behind the mountain of a man was a thoughtful and caring family man who would work tirelessly all hours of the day to help someone out. He was professional and meticulous in everything that he did.

"Sergeant Telford was a fantastically popular individual across the Battalion. He was a definite Battalion character and it was a pleasure for all his colleagues to have him back serving with the Regiment."

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, said: "I pay tribute to their courage, skill and determination. They will never be forgotten.

"My thoughts, condolences and sympathies go to their families, loved ones and colleagues. I know that the whole country too will mourn their loss.

The attack happened when an Afghan police officer opened fire.

The five deaths took the number of UK troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 229. It is the highest number of UK soldiers killed in a single incident of combat since troops arrived in 2001.

Lit candles:
- Kris Miller
  8th Mar 2012
- Chris Heywood
  25th Jan 2012
- Anthony Burrows RIP Matt
  11th Nov 2011
- Sergeant Steve Harris
  15th Feb 2011
- Beloved Memories of our son xx
  22nd Oct 2010
- Rememberance day
  Uploaded by Sarah Elliott on 11th Nov 2011 Report this image | View all
Lit candles:
- ronald telford// father
  15th Oct 2010
TELF WAS A TRUE...

TELF WAS A TRUE GRENADIER, I SERVED WITH HIM IN NUMBER ONE COY SECOND BATTALION GRENADIER GUARDS. I DIDNT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL I SAW THE PROGRAM BEFORE THE NIGHT OF THE TROOP. I HAD A DRINK TO HIM THAT NIGHT AND REMEMBERED ONE OF HIS SAYINGS "BLUE RED BLUE THROUGH AND THROUGH". HE WAS ALWAYS ONE OF THE LADS AND ALWAYS WILL BE. ONE NIGHT IN THE NAFFI AT CATERHAM HE SAID LET ME SHOW YOU THIS ARM LOCK AND TRY AND GET OUT OF IT!
AFTER A WHILE I HAD TO RESORT TO GOOD OLD GUARDSMAN CUNNING AND GRAB HIS NUTS!
TELF I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU MATE YOU WERE ONE OF THE BEST.
SYE BUTTLE "BUTTS"

Report this message By Sye Buttle on 2nd Jul 2010
Thankyou for all the...

Thankyou for all the wonderful memories i have of you.I will treasure every single one.You were every thing to me and always will be.IM SO PROUD OF YOU AND PROUD TO CALL YOU MY BROTHER....I MISS YOU SO MIUCH.YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY HERO......
I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU.
LOVE YOUR LITTLE SISTER
ELEANOR
XXXXXXX

Report this message By ELEANOR TELFORD on 7th Dec 2009
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- Repatriation at Wootton Bassett 10th November 2009
  Report this video Uploaded by George Pollen on 2nd Dec 2009
I knew Matt from...

I knew Matt from when I served with the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards.
He always had a ready smile, always dependable, ever professional.
A good friend, loved by everyone. Will be sadly missed.
Grimsby stood still still yesterday to mourn a Hero, a true Hero in every sense.
My sincere condolences and to his family and friends.
You will always be remembered...

Report this message By John Woolham on 27th Nov 2009
My heart goes out...

My heart goes out to your family and friends, RIP matthew god bless x

Report this message By Jennifer Taylor on 24th Nov 2009
WHAT CAN WE SAY,...

WHAT CAN WE SAY, UNCLE GRAHAM. AUNTIE MAG AND BOYS

Report this message By graham telford on 23rd Nov 2009
We was there for...

We was there for you today in the crowd as you came through our town ,r i p Mathew we will never forget you xxxxx

Report this message By karen cullum on 21st Nov 2009
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We don't ask for...

We don't ask for miracles,
But today just one will do;
To leave the door wide open,
And see you walk right through.
We would wrap our arms around you,
And kiss your smiling face,
For you were very special,
Who no one can replace. we miss you more than words can say you have gone from us but you will never be forgotton RIP mam and dad

Report this message By ronald telford on 15th Nov 2009
Kerry, I want you...

Kerry,
I want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope some how you can find strength and support from those close to you. I remember when you met this very special guy, it was all you could talk about at Conoco. You were so happy that you had found somebody special. We all knew at the time you would both have a special time together.
My prayers are for you and the boys at this tragic time, someone said once "It is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all" I hope you can look back on your time with Matt and remember all the good times you two had together you were both perfect in every way.
Thinking about you - Spenn.
x x x x x

Report this message By Paul Spencer on 10th Nov 2009
All my thoughts are...

All my thoughts are with the family as i grew up at school and sea cadets with matty,good bloke

Report this message By stuart lilley on 9th Nov 2009
Remembering all soldiers who...

Remembering all soldiers who have died serving in conflicts around the world.

Report this message By Pam Denton on 8th Nov 2009
EX-Gdsm Mark Highfield I...

EX-Gdsm Mark Highfield
I was in the Queens company with Matt and want to say what a great person he was, and he will never be forgotten. He is a hero in every ones eyes.
I send my thoughts and best wishes to his family.
God bless

Report this message By mark highfield on 7th Nov 2009
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You was my friend...

You was my friend if i had any problems when we was on the door i only had to ask you have left us so early in life hopefully for a better place you was a top bloke love you always keith wright

Report this message By Keith Wright on 6th Nov 2009
I only new matt...

I only new matt for a while at work ,he was the kind of man who was always smiling he will be sadley missed i send my deepest sympathies to his family and friends

Report this message By dawn hensby on 6th Nov 2009
R.I.P YOU BRAVE MAN,...

R.I.P YOU BRAVE MAN, OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY, WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH ALL THIS SO WE KNOW HOW YOU ARE ALL FEELING. GOD BLESS

Report this message By jean stanley on 6th Nov 2009
Mattie, you are no...

Mattie, you are no longer with us, but your spirit will live forever with all those whose lives you touched. You were a giant of a man in every way, and the world is a lesser place without you. From a fellow Doorman -
You were our brother.
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here.
Rest in peace mattie
Simon ( SID ) Girling

Report this message By simon girling on 6th Nov 2009
I served wth Matt...

I served wth Matt in NI. we shared a room for serveral months. he was such a funny , lovely guy.always had a smile. i will never forget how he put himself out and stuck up for me. thats the sort of man he was.
i will never forget him. my prayers are with your family. God bless.

Report this message By Marcus Smith on 5th Nov 2009