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Funeral of 200th soldier to die Funeral of 200th soldier to die
(20 minutes later)
The funeral has taken place in south Wales of the 200th UK soldier killed in the Afghanistan conflict.The funeral has taken place in south Wales of the 200th UK soldier killed in the Afghanistan conflict.
Pte Richard Hunt, 21, of 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh was honoured at a service with full military honours in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.Pte Richard Hunt, 21, of 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh was 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.
Up to 3,000 mourners, many lining the streets, listened to the tributes to a "true Welsh warrior".Up to 3,000 mourners, many lining the streets, listened to the tributes to a "true Welsh warrior".
Pte Hunt died in hospital in Birmingham earlier this month after his patrol from A Company the 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh was hit by an explosive device.Pte Hunt died in hospital in Birmingham earlier this month after his patrol from A Company the 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh was hit by an explosive device.
Lt Col Mark Wheeler told the congregation Pte Hunt made "an immediate impact" when he joined the battalion.Lt Col Mark Wheeler told the congregation Pte Hunt made "an immediate impact" when he joined the battalion.
Funeral held for 200th soldier Richard Hunt died two days after he was wounded on patrol
"His enthusiasm was clear to us all and he was quickly identified by his platoon staff as a bright, enthusiastic soldier with plenty of potential for the future."His enthusiasm was clear to us all and he was quickly identified by his platoon staff as a bright, enthusiastic soldier with plenty of potential for the future.
"Richard was brimming with excitement when it was finally announced that A Company would be deploying to Afghanistan."Richard was brimming with excitement when it was finally announced that A Company would be deploying to Afghanistan.
"He immediately volunteered to undertake a sniper course rather than pursue a possible career promotion course believing that he could best serve the company and his friends as a trained sniper.""He immediately volunteered to undertake a sniper course rather than pursue a possible career promotion course believing that he could best serve the company and his friends as a trained sniper."
Pte Hunt's brother Alun Hunt also paid tribute.Pte Hunt's brother Alun Hunt also paid tribute.
He said: "Who would have thought this beautiful little blue-eyed boy would grow up to be such a brave and courageous young man.He said: "Who would have thought this beautiful little blue-eyed boy would grow up to be such a brave and courageous young man.
Phillip and Hazel Hunt described their son as "selfless to the end"Phillip and Hazel Hunt described their son as "selfless to the end"
"He was a true Welsh warrior, an honour I know he would be delighted has been bestowed upon him."He was a true Welsh warrior, an honour I know he would be delighted has been bestowed upon him.
"As a family we have paid the highest price for him serving his country. He and others like him have risked everything in order to protect us all. And for that we are grateful to him."As a family we have paid the highest price for him serving his country. He and others like him have risked everything in order to protect us all. And for that we are grateful to him.
"And we request his all too short life not be in vain.""And we request his all too short life not be in vain."
Jonathan Cholakian, the soldier's best friend, said the memories of the life they shared would stay in his heart forever.Jonathan Cholakian, the soldier's best friend, said the memories of the life they shared would stay in his heart forever.
"Rich you are like a brother to me and I love you," he said."Rich you are like a brother to me and I love you," he said.
"I will always cherish being in the band with you, making music with you was a privilege, even though you hit the drums so hard the rest of us could barely hear ourselves play."I will always cherish being in the band with you, making music with you was a privilege, even though you hit the drums so hard the rest of us could barely hear ourselves play.
"Losing you will leave the biggest and blackest of holes which will last a lifetime.""Losing you will leave the biggest and blackest of holes which will last a lifetime."
Pte Hunt's coffin was brought into the church draped in the Union Flag and adorned with his belt and beret, to the sound of Men of Harlech.Pte Hunt's coffin was brought into the church draped in the Union Flag and adorned with his belt and beret, to the sound of Men of Harlech.
It was carried out to I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas and the crowds applauded as the hearse was driven away.It was carried out to I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas and the crowds applauded as the hearse was driven away.
Last Sunday hundreds joined in a minute's silence at the cenotaph in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, 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, on what would have been the soldier's 22nd birthday.
His parents, Hazel and Phillip Hunt, described their son as "selfless to the end", with his bravado masking "a natural shyness".His parents, Hazel and Phillip Hunt, described their son as "selfless to the end", with his bravado masking "a natural shyness".
Mrs Hunt has also criticised the treatment of troops in Afghanistan, saying 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, saying politicians needed to listen to and understand their demands for more and better help and equipment.