AT Noon last Thursday, Abergavenny fell silent as 'Welsh Warrior' Private Richard Hunt was laid to rest with full military honours reports GEMMA BALL.

Hundreds of people lined the street outside St Mary's Priory Church to listen to the service, which was played over loud speakers for the soldier who died fighting for his country. The crowd fell silent as the hearse pulled into Monk Street.

The silence was broken by the sound of the Town Hall clock bells striking 12 as Private Richard Hunt's coffin draped in the Union Jack with his beret, belt and a poppy wreath placed on top, was carried into the church

Private Hunt's family, his parents Hazel and Phillip Hunt, brother Alun, sisters Jayne and Fe and girlfriend Rhiannon Simmonds clung to each other for support as his coffin passed through a guard of honour made up of soldiers from his regiment, 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh.

Aged just 21-years-old, Private Richard Hunt became the 200th British soldier to die in the Afghan conflict.

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Private Hunt died at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine in Selly Oak from wounds sustained as a result of an explosion while on a vehicle patrol near Musa Qaleh in Helmand province on the morning of August 13.

Family, friends and wellwishers turned out in force to pay tribute at his funeral with many of those watching visibly moved as his coffin was taken into the church, to the sounds of The Beaufort Male Choir singing Men of Harlech.

The eulogy was given by Private Hunt's brother Alun who said, "He was proud to be part of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh. 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 other like him have risked everything in order to protect us all. For that we are eternally grateful to him."

His best friend Jonathan Cholakian, carrying a drum stuck from Private Hunt's drum kit, said in his eulogy, that he had known Private Hunt for 17 years and that he had been like a brother.

"Losing you will leave the biggest and blackest of holes which will last a lifetime.

"I hold dear some of the best memories of my life we shared, these will stay in my heart forever."

He went on to read the poem' Do not stand at my gave and weep'.

During the service Lieutenant Colonel Mark Wheeler paid tribute to Private Hunt's family particularly to his parents.

He said, "It is hardly surprising that growing up in this environment with close friends and family that Richard turned into such a caring sincere and selfless man."

Private Hunt's coffin was led from the church while the song "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas was played.

As a final mark of respect, as the hearse pulled away from the church, the crowd broke out in spontaneous applause for a Welsh Warrior who died serving his country.