AROUND 150 people attended a charity rugby match in memory of a Monmouth soldier killed in action in Afghanistan nearly two years ago.

Family and friends of Rifleman Jamie Gunn took part in a minutes silence before the 12.30pm kick off in tribute to the 21-year-old who died alongside two other officers while on duty with 1st Battalion, The Rifles, in the Gereshk District of Helmand Province on February 25, 2009.

To mark the second anniversary of his death his mum Janet, 54, dad Mervyn, 56 and sister Jess, 26, decided to organise a rugby match on Saturday between his home town rugby Monmouth RFC and his comrades at 1st Battalion The Rifles in a bid to raise funds and awareness for the Army Benevolent Fund.

Monmouth RFC was triumphant beating 1st Battalion The Rifles 26-19.

The Soldiers’ Charity, provides help and financial assistance to soldiers, veterans and their families and Mrs Gunn said the family wanted to show their thanks for the “great” support they received following her son’s death.

She said: “There are lots of soldiers’ charity’s but the Army Benevolent Fund has a very wide remit and helps a lot of people and their families.

“They asked us to think of some ways to raise the profile amongst the younger market so we organised a showing of the film Anchor Man, which was Jamie’s favourite film, and then we thought of organising a rugby match between where he lived and where he worked and they've all been brilliant.”

Mrs Gunn said although her son wasn’t particularly good at rugby himself, he enjoyed the camaraderie of the sport and she was sure he would be happy his friends had taken part to show the charity their support.

1st Battalion The Rifles are set to return to Afghanistan in April.