This is Bristol --FAMILY and friends of the first Bristol soldier to be killed in Afghanistan gathered in Westbury-on-Trym to mark a year since the soldier's death.
At a moving ceremony at the suburb's war memorial, Lieutenant Andrew Chesterman's proud father Paul paid tribute a man who "lead from the front".
The 26-year-old died in a roadside attack last year.
The platoon leader was commanding a patrol when his lead vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb. As he moved forward to take control of the situation he was shot by insurgents.
A brief service was held in the centre of Westbury-on-Trym on Friday, close the family home in Stoke Bishop.
Padre Mark Christian, the deputy assistant chaplain for Mr Chesterman's 3rd Battalion The Rifles, who lead the ceremony, said: "He died nobly doing something which he believed in with courage, discipline, respect, loyalty and selfless commitment. We come to give thanks for a short life, well lived."
A prayer was then read for the family before a bugler sounded to mark the beginning of a minute's silence in memory of the fallen soldier.
Gathered in a semi-circle around the towering memorial, the background noises of the high street seemed distant as the silence was impeccably observed.
Paul Chesterman and his two daughters Anna and Olivia laid wreaths at the foot of the memorial as the service drew to a close.
After the service, he told the Bristol Post of his immense pride for his son and the work he did.
He said: "This is a very significant day for all the family. There is a great deal to come to terms with and we are still not quite there yet.
"The overriding emotion is pride in Andrew. He was a model professional and that helps us get through it.
"When he was out on patrol we know he insisted in being in the lead vehicle. He always lead from the front. It is also comforting to know he was held with great respect by his colleagues. This makes a very proud family and it helps us on the journey to accept what has happened."
He added that his son was a "bright and energetic" person and will be missed.
He said: "He would always seek the best from himself and from me.
"He was a competitive boy and a person who had a lot of heart."
Finally, he thanked everyone for the support the family had received since his son's death. Reported by This is 9 hours ago.