This is a tribute dedicated to Stephen Monkhouse. Corporal Stephen Daniel Monkhouse from 1st Battalion Scots Guards was tragically killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday, 21 July 2010.

Stephen Monkhouse was killed when members of The Royal Dragoon Guards and 1st Battalion Scots Guards were providing security to the building of Route Trident in the Basharan, north of Lashkar Gah.

Lance Corporal Monkhouse, of Combined Force Lashkar Gah, was the gunner of a Coyote vehicle when insurgents shot and wounded a member of ISAF.

Lance Corporal Monkhouse provided fire support in order to allow the evacuation of the casualty to take place. Tragically, as the casualty was being extracted, Stephen Monkhouse was killed by small arms fire.

Lance Corporal Stephen Daniel Monkhouse was born in Greenock, Scotland, and lived with his mother, Linda Watt, in his town of birth. He was 28 years old, was a father to Brandon and an older brother to Allan, Ashleigh and Stacey.

He began his Army training in December 2003 and subsequently joined the 1st Battalion Scots Guards in Germany in 2004. He immediately deployed as a Warrior Driver in Right Flank on Operation TELIC 5. It was during his time with Right Flank that he developed a reputation as an immensely fit and robust infantry soldier.

After a brief spell with B (Support Weapons) Company as a Mortarman, he decided to join the Pipes and Drums despite having, by his own admission, no musical knowledge. He passed his Class 3 Drummers Course in 2007 and his Class 2 Drummers Course in 2008, both at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming, and with flying colours.

Having passed a Junior Non-Commissioned Officers' Cadre he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in March 2009. He remained in the Pipes and Drums and regularly represented the Regiment and Battalion at musical events.

These events included Pipe Band tours of Moscow in 2007, USA in 2009 and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2006 and 2009. He was also a key member of the Battalion's football team. His unflinching and passionate support for Celtic Football Club could never be dampened.

He was selected to be a member of the Commanding Officer's Tactical Group for Operation HERRICK 12 and deployed to Afghanistan at the beginning of July.

Lance Corporal Monkhouse's family paid the following tribute to him:

"Although Stephen died in very tragic circumstances, it is comforting to know that he died doing a job he loved – being a soldier. He loved the Army and the Scots Guards.

"He died trying to help save another life, that sums Stephen up. He loved life and lived it to the full and his memory will live on with us and his friends forever. God bless you son."

This memorial is dedicated to the unflinching courage and bravery of Stephen Monkhouse. He died a hero trying to protect an injured colleague and will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace.