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| Funeral of 200th soldier to die | Funeral of 200th soldier to die |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The funeral is taking place in south Wales of the 200th UK soldier killed in the Afghanistan conflict. | |
| Pte Richard Hunt, 21, of 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh will be honoured at a service with full military honours in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. | Pte Richard Hunt, 21, of 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh will be honoured at a service with full military honours in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. |
| Pte Hunt died in hospital in the UK two days after an explosion in Helmand Province while on vehicle patrol. | Pte Hunt died in hospital in the UK two days after an explosion in Helmand Province while on vehicle patrol. |
| His commanding officer said he was "talented, enthusiastic and passionate" and "a very strong Welsh warrior". | His commanding officer said he was "talented, enthusiastic and passionate" and "a very strong Welsh warrior". |
| Up to 3,000 mourners were expected at the funeral at St Mary's Priory Church in Abergavenny. | |
| Before the service began, the Reverend Dr John Plessis, assistant curator at the church, said: "Everyone's hearts are moved by this wonderful sacrifice he's made. | |
| The death of any soldier in Afghanistan or anyone serving on operation is a tragic loss and will impact on family and friends. The 200th should not in any way detract from this on this sad occasion. Lt Col Mark Wheeler | The death of any soldier in Afghanistan or anyone serving on operation is a tragic loss and will impact on family and friends. The 200th should not in any way detract from this on this sad occasion. Lt Col Mark Wheeler |
| "That love will be returned by all those people who come here today to offer love and affection and support for the family. | "That love will be returned by all those people who come here today to offer love and affection and support for the family. |
| "I am utterly humbled by his sacrifice. | "I am utterly humbled by his sacrifice. |
| "They say pride is a sin but I think today it is not a sin. We can feel enormously proud of the men and women who fight so bravely each and every day for us to enjoy peace and democracy." | "They say pride is a sin but I think today it is not a sin. We can feel enormously proud of the men and women who fight so bravely each and every day for us to enjoy peace and democracy." |
| The service is being followed by a private burial in Llanellen churchyard where there will be a firing party. | |
| Pte Hunt died after his patrol from A Company the 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh was hit by an explosive device. | Pte Hunt died after his patrol from A Company the 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh was hit by an explosive device. |
| Last Sunday hundreds joined in a minute's silence at the cenotaph in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, a tribute on what would have been the soldier's 22nd birthday. | Last Sunday hundreds joined in a minute's silence at the cenotaph in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, a tribute on what would have been the soldier's 22nd birthday. |
| Richard Hunt died two days after he was wounded on patrol | |
| Soldiers from 2nd and 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh were present at the memorial which brought the market town centre to a standstill. | Soldiers from 2nd and 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh were present at the memorial which brought the market town centre to a standstill. |
| His parents, Hazel and Phillip Hunt, added a wreath to the flowers and birthday cards for their son laid at the war memorial. | His parents, Hazel and Phillip Hunt, added a wreath to the flowers and birthday cards for their son laid at the war memorial. |
| They have described him as "selfless to the end", with his bravado masking "a natural shyness". | They have described him as "selfless to the end", with his bravado masking "a natural shyness". |
| Mrs Hunt has also criticised the treatment of troops in Afghanistan, and said politicians needed to listen to and understand their demands for more and better help and equipment. | Mrs Hunt has also criticised the treatment of troops in Afghanistan, and said politicians needed to listen to and understand their demands for more and better help and equipment. |
| Lt Col Mark Wheeler, commanding officer 2 Royal Welsh, said it was a very sad day for the battalion. | Lt Col Mark Wheeler, commanding officer 2 Royal Welsh, said it was a very sad day for the battalion. |
| "We are here to remember Richard but also it's a celebration of Private Richard Hunt, a fantastic Welsh soldier. | "We are here to remember Richard but also it's a celebration of Private Richard Hunt, a fantastic Welsh soldier. |
| "I spent almost a full day with Philip and Hazel (Richard's parents) who are a tremendously strong couple who have been extremely brave. | "I spent almost a full day with Philip and Hazel (Richard's parents) who are a tremendously strong couple who have been extremely brave. |
| "The death of any soldier in Afghanistan or anyone serving on operation is a tragic loss and will impact on family and friends. The 200th should not in any way detract from this on this sad occasion." | "The death of any soldier in Afghanistan or anyone serving on operation is a tragic loss and will impact on family and friends. The 200th should not in any way detract from this on this sad occasion." |