Lance Corporal Matthew Ford died when elements of 45 Commando Royal Marines were engaged in a deliberate offensive operation to the south of Garmsir in southern Helmand, Afghanistan (Operation Glacier).

Matthew Ford joined the Royal Marines aged 24, on 23 April 2001 after going to college and working locally. After passing out from the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon where he earned the coveted Green Beret, he joined 1 Assault Group Royal Marines in Poole.

He went on to complete military driver training at Leconfield before joining the Commando Logistic Regiment near Barnstaple in Devon. From there, he then returned to Lympstone to be trained as a heavy weapons specialist before joining 45 Commando in Arbroath, Scotland in October 2004.

During his time in 45 Commando, he deployed to Norway where he completed the arduous Cold Weather Warfare Course at the beginning of 2006. Later on, in October 2006, he deployed to Afghanistan with Zulu Company for Operation Herrick 5.