Hundreds of people lined the streets of Monmouth last Wednesday to pay their respects to 22 year old Jamie Gunn, who was killed while serving in Afghanistan.

Many were also remembering the popular young man who brought "laughter, joy and fun into so many lives. "

Jamie, a Rifleman with the 1st Battalion, The Rifles, died when the vehicle in which he was travelling was struck by a roadside bomb on the highway east of Gereshk in the Helmand province.

Two of his colleagues, Corporal Tom Gaden and Lance Corporal Paul Upton, were also killed. All three were stationed at Chepstow.

The town came to a standstill as the cortege prepared to leave Jamie's home in Drybridge Street; businesses closed and crowds gathered in the spring sunshine to watch the solemn procession pass through the Old Monnow Bridge and on up Monnow Street enroute to St Mary's Priory Church for a service with full military honours.

Mourners were led by members of Jamie's family who each gave an emotional tribute to a much loved son and brother.

Jamie's mother, Janet, spoke movingly of a young man who was fiercely loyal to his family and friends; a witty, funny boy with an infectious giggle, who was proud of his strength, his tan, his tattoos and his Welsh accent; a straightforward young man, without guile.

He was "a plastic Taffy," she said, having been born in Leamington Spa before moving to Monmouth from the Forest of Dean when he reached secondary school age, following his sister, Jessica to Monmouth Comprehensive School.

"He was hardworking, though not always at school, but he did enjoy history," said Mrs Gunn. "He was determined - he overcame setbacks and injuries to complete his army training and from a young man he was determined to join the Forces, having changed his mind from earlier career choices of spy or wrestler.

"He was fatalistic. When I said all the usual mum things about the dangers of the role of a soldier, he would shrug and say 'it comes with the job ma.'

A ripple of laughter ran through the congregation as Mrs Gunn shared special memories of her son.

"He was accident prone - if there was something to break, be it panes of glass, toilets, collar bones or jaws - he'd do it - one of his friends said 'I can't believe they let him have a gun!"

"He was untidy, everyone said that would change when he went into the army but it didn't; he couldn't dance but he had the cheek to mock my dancing!"

Jamie was a true gentleman, she said, he was good with both children and old ladies, especially his gran.

"I remember him telling me about sitting in a pub listening to an old soldier's tales and he was very respectful of that man's thoughts."

Her voice breaking with emotion, Mrs Gunn said: "He was so proud of his family and we're so proud of him; my life has never been the same since Jamie was born - he's brought me joy, tears, pride and above all laughter, and he always does.

"I can picture him sitting with me in the garden - 'I just want to shine ma,' he said, well you've done that, boy."

Jamie's father Mervyn added: "We are bursting with pride and are honoured to have helped produce such a young outstanding man.

"You changed our world on arrival, you changed our world on departing; you now live on in all those who knew you, never forgotten. Your dad is so proud of you, my son."

Paying tribute to the "not so little brother" she adored, Jamie's sister Jessica said: "Jamie and I were different in many ways but we have been created from the same wonderful parents; I feel as if the blood running through my veins, in fact in every cell in my body is somehow connected to him and each of those cells, right now, is aching for him - but I can still feel him in so many ways.

"I can feel him in the love that's poured in for my family from the local community and from friends.

"Without the enormous support and messages we have received I don't know how we would have got through the last few weeks. "

(More tributes and pictures on Pages 14 and 15)