Friends and family pay respects to fallen Croydon soldier

Croydon police sanctioned the use of firearms by his fellow soldiers so they could give Rifleman Danny “Simo” Simpson a military send-off with a 21-gun salute.

Rifleman Simpson was on a routine patrol in Sangin, Helmand province, when an improvised explosive device blast detonated killing him and a colleague who was attempting to save him from a previous blast.

Rifleman Simpson’s casket was given a full police escort to the church by motorcycle outriders and an honour guard was laid on by colleagues in his sister regiment 1 Rifles.

The pallbearers were fellow soldiers from 2 Rifles, one of whom came back from Afghanistan for the funeral.

Rifleman Sherlock, from Rifleman Simpson’s platoon said: “Danny was a great friend to myself and all the other lads in nine platoon.

“Wherever Danny went laughter surely would follow.”

Rifleman Simpson’s body arrived at the church in a Union Jack-draped coffin with the words Our Hero and Daddy in floral tributes on the car.

During the service, his father, Bob Simpson, paid an emotional tribute to his son.

He said: “He had so much going for him. He was caring and generous. He could put a smile on everyone’s faces.

“He loved his family and his little man, Alfie. We all have fond memories.

“He was doing his job to the best of his ability – we have lost our boy, our hero.”

The coffin was then led back to the Mitcham Road barracks where family and friends met to remember the young soldier.

A statement released by the family said: ”Danny was a larger than life character and a team player who died doing the job he loved, serving his country and as a family we are immensely proud of him.

"We now ask that we be left in peace so that we can start to rebuild our lives, a life that will never be the same without Danny, our hero.”

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