TWO Gwent mums have hit out at the decision to axe the army battalion for which their sons gave their lives - calling it an insult to their memories.

The government announced on Thursday that it will merge the 2nd Battlion the Royal Welsh with the 1st Battalion, putting 600 jobs potentially at risk.

Privates Richard Hunt and James Prosser, both 21, were serving with 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh in Afghanistan when they were killed in 2009.

Their mothers say they are devastated and angered by Thursday's announcement.

Both have written to defence secretary Philip Hammond and Pte Prosser's mum Sarah Adams has demanded a meeting with him.

Ms Adams, from Coed Eva, Cwmbran, said: "I am absolutely devastated. What has my son died for? He loved that battalion and they're cutting it.

"Whilst we are in Afghanistan or deployed to areas where we're fighting and at risk, they shouldn't be facing any cuts. Cut something else. It's a huge insult not just to James' memory but to those still fighting and those who have come back." She said the decision is "completely and utterly disrespectful" and called it an "absolute betrayal."

Ms Adams said the battalion was a part of her son and was the last part of his life.

"They call it an army family and he was happy there. He was proud to be doing it and that's been taken away," she said.

Ms Adams said even Mr Hammond has called the decision a risk.

Mrs Hunt, from Abergavenny, said the decision is a complete insult to the sacrifice made by her son and others and has written to the Queen who is colonel-in-chief of the Royal Welsh.

She told the Argus: "I am beyond angry. I feel bitterly betrayed for the lads and it is a real kick in the teeth.

"It's as if they counted for nothing," she said.

Mrs Hunt said 1st Battalion is fully manned and said there will be no jobs for the 2nd Battalion to go to.

"It's one body blow after another. I don't know how much more they think the armed forces can take.

"The government came in on a lot of promises about how they were going to support the armed forces and they've back-peddled on everything," she said.

Mrs Hunt added: "We've already trained the lads and we're going to be throwing that away and starting again. Why should any of the lads want to stay and fight for this country now?"

Mrs Hunt and Ms Adams said the decision is also unfair to the Territorial Army who will be sent to the front line with little training.

They said there are too many civil servants within the Ministry of Defence and that this could be an alternative way of making cuts.

PRESENTER and journalist Piers Morgan called the cuts "outrageous" on Twitter yesterday .

Mr Morgan wrote: "Particularly incensed by the closure of 2nd Battalion @TheRoyalWelsh - my brother's served in Iraq/Afghan for them. Fantastic soldiers."

He added: "The 2nd Battalion @TheRoyalWelsh are the modern incarnation of the heroes who fought at Rorke's Drift v the Zulus. Disgusting decision."