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Tributes to blast death soldier Tributes to blast death soldier
(1 day later)
The family of a soldier from south Wales killed in a blast in southern Afghanistan have paid tribute to him. Tributes have continued to be paid to a soldier killed in a blast in southern Afghanistan.
Rifleman Jamie Gunn, 21, from Monmouth, of 1st Battalion The Rifles, died with two colleagues while on patrol in Helmand province on Wednesday. Rifleman Jamie Gunn, 21, from Monmouth, of 1st Battalion The Rifles, died with two colleagues on patrol in Helmand province on Wednesday.
His mother Janet, father Mervyn, and sister, Jessica, issued a statement through the Ministry of Defence. The former Land Rover worker was only a recent recruit. His commanding officer said he was "shocked and stunned".
They said: "We are so proud of our son, brother and grandson who will always shine in our hearts forever." His family said: "We are so proud of our son, brother and grandson who will always shine in our hearts forever."
They added: "He was a funny, popular lad who loved his mates and the girls." His mother Janet, father Mervyn, and sister, Jessica, added: "He was a funny, popular lad who loved his mates and the girls."
Tributes have been paid to Jamie Gunn, a soldier from Monmouth who was killed in a bomb attack in Afghanistan
It is believed Rifleman Gunn and colleagues Lance Corporal Paul Upton and Corporal Tom Gaden either set off a landmine or a wire-triggered improvised explosive device during a routine escort operation.It is believed Rifleman Gunn and colleagues Lance Corporal Paul Upton and Corporal Tom Gaden either set off a landmine or a wire-triggered improvised explosive device during a routine escort operation.
A medical helicopter was scrambled but all three were pronounced dead at the scene.A medical helicopter was scrambled but all three were pronounced dead at the scene.
Rifleman Gunn had been an apprentice at Land Rover and only joined the army towards the end of 2007. He had put his experience as a mechanic to good use.
Lt Col Joe Cavanagh, commanding officer of 1 Rifles said: "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."
Lt Col Cavanagh said they would remember his "enviably calm, cool attitude under pressure - and his smile when the going was better."
The battalion said Rifleman Gunn, who was born in Warwickshire, was "loyal and conscientious".
"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."
Rifleman Gunn, who had worked in a small eight-man team, was praised for his valuable work with soldiers of the Afghan national army, for who he acted as a mentor.
There were also tributes from the mayor of Monmouth and teachers at Monmouth School.
On the same day, a fourth military serviceman, a Royal Marine from 45 Commando, died in a UK hospital after being hit by enemy fire near Sangin.On the same day, a fourth military serviceman, a Royal Marine from 45 Commando, died in a UK hospital after being hit by enemy fire near Sangin.
The deaths, in one day, took the number of UK servicemen and women killed in Afghanistan since October 2001 to 149.The deaths, in one day, took the number of UK servicemen and women killed in Afghanistan since October 2001 to 149.
'Brave men' John Hutton, Defence Secretary, said: "I learned with sorrow of the deaths of Corporal Tom Gaden, Lance Corporal Paul Upton, and Rifleman Jamie Gunn.
John Hutton, Secretary of State for Defence, said: "I learned with sorrow of the deaths of Corporal Tom Gaden, Lance Corporal Paul Upton, and Rifleman Jamie Gunn.
"To lose three men of this calibre in a single incident is a sad day for the Rifles, and indeed for our forces as a family."To lose three men of this calibre in a single incident is a sad day for the Rifles, and indeed for our forces as a family.
"All three were dedicated and professional soldiers, and they were doing vital work to bring stability to Afghanistan and, by extension, greater security to us all."All three were dedicated and professional soldiers, and they were doing vital work to bring stability to Afghanistan and, by extension, greater security to us all.
"The extraordinary challenges faced by our personnel and the strain on their families are always in my mind, and today my thoughts and prayers are with the families of these three brave men.""The extraordinary challenges faced by our personnel and the strain on their families are always in my mind, and today my thoughts and prayers are with the families of these three brave men."