Brothers in arms and grieving loved ones of 1Rifles' soldiers killed in Afghanistan, gathered to remember them.

The eight fallen heroes from the battalion based at Beachley-barracks, near Chepstow, were honoured at a memorial service yesterday.

About 500 members of the regiment spent six months in Helmand province from October last year, training and mentoring the Afghan National Army (ANA) as part of 3 Commando Brigade.

On tour, Rifleman Jamie Gunn, of Berry Hill, lost his life. So did Rifleman Stuart Nash, whose family come from Coleford, Corporal Danny Nield, of Cheltenham, Acting Corporal Richard Robinson, of Cornwall, Lance Corporal Stephen Kingscott, of Plymouth, Lance Corporal Paul Upton, of Cornwall, Corporal Tom Gaden, of Taunton, and Serjeant Chris Reed, of Plymouth.

During the service at Bristol Cathedral, eight candles were lit by riflemen and relatives in their memory.

Speaking afterwards, the family of Rifleman Gunn said they hoped the conflict in Afghanistan would soon be over.

His mother Janet Gunn said: "We do not want to think that he died in vain. These soldiers do not get to choose the war that they fight in. Jamie did his duty.

She added: "I hope that one day it will come to an end, because everyone is someone's son."

Father Mervyn Gunn, from Monmouth, South Wales, said: "The Army has been very supportive, like a big family, and I am very proud to be here, especially for my son.

Sister Jessica grief for his loss still felt 'very raw'.

"Whether or not we should question whether we should be in Afghanistan or not is not important to us, the political side of it does not matter because I have lost my brother," she said.

The Chepstow Male Voice Choir, the Band and Bugles of The Rifles, and the 1 Rifles Fijian Choir performed during the hour-long service which was also attended by the Duke of Kent, Royal Colonel of 1st Battalion The Rifles, Lieutenant General Sir Nick Parker, Colonel Commandant of The Rifles, as well as local dignitaries from the region including the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire Sir Henry Elwes.

Padre of the regiment David Crees told the congregation of around 1,000 people, including 500 soldiers: "As we recall today the conflict and the danger that we have lived through on tour, we also acknowledge that our homes have been surrounded by the shadow of fear and anxiety.

"Today we unite with those for whom the fears became a reality."

After the service, commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Joe Cavanagh said: "We are very sad that those eight men are not coming back and we are proud of what they achieved, but it is also important for us to gather as a battlegroup.

"It is difficult enough, brutal and distressing, to lose one comrade but three in one incident makes it even harder to bear.

"These men are a very close-knit team working together in austere circumstances and it is a bitter blow that is difficult to come to terms with."

The regiment is due to return to Afghanistan in 2010.