Tributes to a fallen soldier

By Jonathan Swingler BBC Tees

Daniel's mother Laura Laws and step-father Alan Simmons are coming to terms with their loss

The family of a Hartlepool-born soldier killed in Afghanistan have been speaking about their pride for their son.

Rifleman Daniel Wild, whose family now live in Easington, died while trying to save a fellow soldier who had been hit by a blast in Helmand on 13 August.

Two other soldiers also died in the same incident.

Their bodies were returned to the UK in August.

Grief-stricken

He was the smallest, but he had the biggest heart. Lots of courage, lots and lots of courage, and for that reason, we are so proud of him. Alan Simmons

At their home in Easington, Daniel's mother, Laura Laws and step-father Alan Simmons, were still clearly in shock, trying to make some sense of a split second that has shattered their whole family.

Laura reminisced about the day Daniel decided to become a soldier: "He says, 'Mam, I want to join the army', but like I said, I let him make his own decisions. I was a bit iffy, but I knew that once Daniel had made his mind up, that was it.

"The first time we took him to the station, it was really emotional. I couldn't let go of him. He was my little boy, you know, but he said, 'Mam, I'll be all right.'

"When he got on the train, it just broke my heart."

Super-fit

He was just a great person to know and I'm glad I had the honour to know him, to call him a friend Billy Holmes

In the military, Daniel excelled, showing a level of fitness that turned heads around the village. "He actually did most of his training in jungle boots and he found it so easy to do" said Alan.

Laura added: "When he came home on leave, we never really saw him. He'd get his bag with all my shopping in, and some bricks, and go for a run. He used to run for miles and miles.

"After his run, he used to come home, have a bath and he was out. He used to go for a drink with his mates."

One of those mates was Daniel's best friend, Billy Holmes: "He was the best lad you could have wanted really. He was just lovely. He never settled down. He was always on the go."

Billy said he had tried to talk Daniel out of joining the army: "I tried to tell him not to at first, but he always spoke about it. I just never thought he would have done it, then when he told me he'd done it, I told him I didn't want him to.

"I know people who've died there, you know, but it's what he wanted to do and he loved doing it."

'So proud'

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It was in the combat zone, though, where Daniel showed his full potential. Colleagues described a man who 'had a knack for finding I.E.Ds', the improvised explosive devices that have claimed so many British lives in Helmand.

Alan said: "I think what he was doing, he didn't care for himself. He cared for his other colleagues and we were told he always made the path clear for other soldiers to follow.

"He was just one brave lad, one very, very brave lad."

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It was when nineteen-year-old Daniel went to rescue a comrade who had been injured by an explosive that Daniel was struck by an explosion from a secondary device. A singe act of heroism for which the young man from Easington Colliery paid the ultimate price.

It was an act that stepdad Alan said summed up just what kind of man Daniel was: "He didn't think about himself. He thought of his colleagues. He went to get that lad to safety and unfortunately they all lost their lives.

"It's something we're all going to have to live with, but we're proud of him for trying to do that and trying to save that lad."

Laura added: "He knew himself about the risks. We didn't have to explain to him, because he knew."

For all they have lost because of Britain's military action in Afghanistan, Daniel's family insist the job he died doing is a worthwhile one.

"At first, I agreed with what a lot of people were saying, that those young lads should come home," said Alan, "but since we went to RAF Leeming, we talked to a lot of staff and it changed my mind. I think those lads are doing a brilliant job."

Coping without Daniel

I'm proud, but I miss him. He's my little boy Laura Laws

Laura said the family had been helped no end by friends and neighbours: "They've been really good, really supportive. All my friends and people around here have been coming, sending flowers, cards, messages of condolence. They've been really good."

"It's going to be so hard," said Alan, "I've got to be the rock of the family. I've got to pull them though this as best I can.

"Yesterday, when I went to see him, I actually kissed him in the coffin and said, 'Whatever I have in my power, I will look after your mam and brothers and your sister', who doted on him; and I will."

Outside the house, Daniel's best friend Billy Holmes sat quietly. He had spoken to Daniel on the telephone just a week before he was killed. The pair had arranged to go for a drink on the day of his return.

"I'm crushed, devastated, I couldn't believe it. I still can't. I can't get my head around the fact that he's not coming home. He's not coming back here."