MONMOUTH will next Wednesday lunch time come to a standstill as the town and its people pay their own silent tribute to Jamie Gunn (21), who lost his life while serving in Afghanistan.

Jamie, who lived in Drybridge Street in Monmouth with his parents Mervyn and Janet and sister Jessica, was with two other soldiers, all stationed at Chepstow Barracks, who died from wounds sustained as a result of an enemy explosion during an escort patrol in Gereshk district, central Helmand province.

His father, who is in business in the town, described Jamie as "a wonderful son, he made us all smile".

His mother, a nurse, said Jamie had come home on leave last November, but could not wait to get back to the other boys he was serving with.

Lieutenant Colonel Joe Cavanagh, Commanding Officer, 1 RIFLES: "For one so young and inexperienced at the start of this operation, he had been performing superbly, and had grown into a very impressive, mature and confident Rifleman.

"He was showing as much potential as anyone and would no doubt have 'smashed' through the Junior Non-Commissioned Officer training later this year as he pressed on to even bigger and better things. We will remember his enviably calm, cool attitude under pressure - and his smile when the going was better. He will be very deeply missed."

Members and officers of Monmouthshire County Council stood in silence for one minute at the start of last week's meeting. Leader of the Council, Peter Fox, said the thoughts of everyone went out to the family of Jamie Gunn.

The bodies of the three soldiers were flown back to RAF Lyneham.

A spokesman said on Tuesday that a full military funeral would take place at St Mary's Church, Monmouth, at 2pm next Wednesday.

The funeral cortege will proceed through the town, having assembled outside the family home in Drybridge Street, and will then march down through Monnow Street.

A police spokesman said the whole of Monnow Street would be closed from about 1.20pm until after the service, which is being conducted by Padre Joe Rooney, who is the military padre.

The wake will be held at the Punch House in Agincourt Square, where Jamie once worked. There will be family flowers only, donations in lieu of flowers should be sent to the Defence Medical Welfare Service, at Selly Oak Hospital, Raddlebarn Road, Birmingham B29 6JD.

Geoff Handley said in a tribute: "I had the good fortune of knowing Jamie as a school friend of my eldest son and a young man that I helped coach at rugby.

"When I first met Jamie my gut feeling was that here is a good lad and I was correct; he will always be remembered as a smashing and honest lad. I can remember him in his long shorts running down the wing; even at that young age he was brave, swift and bold. Clearly he was always going to be a brave lad and thoroughly decent young man that you could be proud to say that you knew him and to have as a friend".

"Jamie, your family are proud of you, your friends are proud of you, the Town is proud of you, your fellow servicemen and women are proud of you and the Country is proud of you. God bless you and rest peacefully".

Thank goodness that our Town and our Country have so many young men and women that are good, honest, brave and lovely people just like Jamie and his fellow fallen soldiers Tom Gaden and Paul Upton. They will always shine and be remembered in our hearts and minds.

Geoff Handley