Family, friends and supporters of a Royal Marine who was killed in action five years ago marked the event with a charity barbecue in Bricket Wood last weekend.

Martin and Gill Harrison, the parents of late Corporal Chris Harrison, hosted the event to raise money for the Royal Marines Charitable trust Fund at The Old Fox, and managed to raise £744.67 for the cause.

The event took place last Saturday for the anniversary of his death on Sunday, May 10, and in true military tradition, glasses were raised for a commemorative port toast.

Corporal Harrison, 26, was leading a patrol in Helmand Province when an improvised explosive device exploded on May 10, 2010.

Mr Harrison said: "The event was a huge success and was well attended by 90-100 people at various times in the afternoon and evening.

"Any parent who has lost a son or daughter thinks about it all the time, but though the fifth year after his death held some significance.

"With military deaths there are constantly ceremonies held to remember them.

"He was in the Royal Marines for six year, left a wife but had no children.

"He was a family person and a very well-known character, on the way to becoming a Sergeant.

"He’d done a lot of remarkable things and was well respected within the Royal Marines."

The ex-Parmiter’s School pupil had many highlights during his service life.

One memory his father recalls was in 2005.

After the outbreak of the Second Gulf War, Corporal Harrison served off Iraq as part of a 12-man team within the Fleet Protection Group.

During this time, he was dropped mistakenly onto a Chinese spy boat and an Iranian military boat in error, due to faulty intelligence, and had to jump overboard and await recovery to escape and avoid diplomatic incidents and capture.

"The whole thing about Royal Marines is being adventurous, and that sums him up really," said Mr Harrison.

In order to keep his memory alive, Mr and Mrs Harrison have been frequently holding charity events, such as the barbeque.

After Corporal Harrison’s death, the family inherited his dog, Wilson, and they now hold a charity dog walk event every year in November to raise money for the British Legion.

On June 11, the family will visit the National Memorial Aboretum in Staffordshire, where their son’s name will appear twice.

Mr Harrison added: "We would like to thank all who attended for their support and offer special thanks to Marion and Sandra of The Old Fox in Bricket Wood for their help in running the event, Steve McMahon for his effort in keeping the hoards fed under great pressure and Peter ‘Precious’ Mackenzie for his excellent Indian food, which was devoured by all with relish."