A young Monmouth soldier, and two of his colleagues, all members of the 1st Battalion The Rifles Regiment, stationed at Chepstow, have been killed in Afghanistan.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence told The Beacon "It is with deepest regret that the Ministry of Defence confirms the deaths of Corporal Tom Gaden, Lance Corporal Paul Upton and Rifleman Jamie Gunn, all of 1st Battalion The Rifles Regiment, in southern Afghanistan. The soldiers died from wounds sustained as a result of an enemy explosion during an escort patrol in Gereshk district, central Helmand province".

Rifleman Jamie Gunn was on patrol with his Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team with whom he had been operating since April 2008. Jamie (21) was born in Leamington Spa and grew up in Monmouth,. He was selected as an apprentice for Land Rover before deciding that his future lay in the armed forces.

Soon after turning twenty, he enlisted into the Army in Hereford. Whilst waiting to start his basic training he worked long hours to get to the peak of physical fitness. He successfully completed his Combat Infantryman's course at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick in May, 2008, triumphing over an injury to reach the required standard.

On passing out from the Centre he was posted to 'E' Company (E Coy), First Battalion The Rifles (1 Rifles), in Beachley, Gloucestershire. As a new Rifleman in the newly formed Company, Rifleman Gunn settled in quickly to the hectic pace of Pre-Deployment Training, where his previous experience as a Land Rover mechanic was put to good use.

Careful in his choice of friends, he was a loyal and conscientious young man who was enthusiastic about his expectant career. Predictably, he came out of his shell once the tour started in earnest, quickly establishing himself as a core member of his team and earning the respect of his commanders and fellow Riflemen alike.

Humorous, and at the centre of every banter session, he was clearly relishing his chosen profession, taking pride in his work and totally at ease in the harsh and austere working environment of these eight-man teams.

He was an integral part of a small and tight knit team, forged by common experience and communal struggle. His loss drives a deep sadness into this team and he will be sorely missed by those who will continue the struggle.

Lt Col 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."

Nine of Jamie's team mates made the following statement: "Rifleman Gunn, also known as Gunny, or Gumbo, was a fairly new and young Rifleman, but that did not stop him from being outstanding at his job and having a brilliant sense of humour. He was loved by all that worked with him. "He will best be remembered for being the only Welshman who was scared of sheep and for being a brilliant friend to us all."

Rifleman Jamie Gunn's family made the following statement: "Jamie's proudest desire was that he wanted to shine in life. He was a funny, popular lad who loved his mates and the girls but most of all we are so proud of our son, brother and grandson who will always shine in our hearts forever."

Tom Gaden (24) came from Taunton, and enlisted into the Army and on completion of the Combat Infantryman's Course at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, was posted to the Second Battalion, the Light Infantry (2 LI, later to become 3 Rifles)).

He was promoted to Lance Corporal in 2005 and attended the Section Commanders' Battle course in the summer of 2006. His performance was remarked upon as the 'best of the 2 LI batch'.Corporal Gaden was posted to the First Battalion The Rifles (1 Rifles) in February 2008, moving to E Company that April, and was immediately selected to attend the Close Quarter Battle Skills Course with a view to passing on these skills to the Company for the tour to Afghanistan.

He spent four months working with the Naval Transition Team before redeploying just after Christmas 2008 to rejoin his original team in a remote Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Helmand, Southern Afghanistan.

On arrival in Afghanistan, he immediately involved himself in the small team environment in an isolated and austere FOB, as team 3ic (third in command), stepping up where necessary as second in command of the team.

Lance Corporal Upton (31) had a determined and friendly manner which was evident in his energetic approach to all he did, and he took many of the younger Riflemen under his wing, offering advice, but never forcing it, and 'digging out blind' at all tasks. He led by example and encouraged others with boundless enthusiasm and a ready smile.

The bodies of the three soldiers were brought back home this week.

Staff and Governors of Monmouth Comprehensive School were saddened and shocked to learn of the death of Jamie Gunn in Southern Afghanistan last week.  

A  friendly student  with a dry sense of humour, he left Monmouth Comprehensive School in 2003 having gained 10 GCSEs. 

 "The loss of one so young and with so much potential is harrowing," said Headteacher Carole Anderson. 

"He was a young man dedicated to his profession and keen to do his duty, knowing that the risk to his own life was part of his job. He is remembered with affection and will be an inspiration to many. 

"We are proud of Jamie and send our sincere condolences to his family."