Mum still feeling pain of soldier son's death in Afghanistan one year on
Aline Nassif
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THE mum of hero soldier Danny Simpson says the passing of time has "not taken away the pain of losing my baby".
Heartbroken Debbie Simpson fought back tears as she talked this week about the 12 months that have passed since the 20-year-old rifleman was killed by a makeshift bomb in Afghanistan.
Even the birth of grandson James Daniel Simpson, the child of the eldest of her three sons, Jimmy, just three days before July 10's sad anniversary was "difficult" because of the memories it brought back.
But reflecting on the wave of support and charitable work that has come about as a result of Danny's death, she told the Advertiser: "I am so proud of Danny and I know he is in a better place.
"Of course as a mum I wish he'd never gone out to fight in the first place, but in my heart of hearts I knew the army was his destiny.
"In the 23 short months that he was a soldier, my son truly found himself – he grew up, he made great friends and he had a beautiful baby boy (Alfie) who looks more like him every day that he grows."
Debbie and her husband Robert, from Shirley, spent July 10 away from the family home "to escape".
They travelled to Wootton Bassett, in Wiltshire – where soldiers killed in Afghanistan are publicly mourned when their bodies are flown back to Britain – and visited 20-month-old Alfie, who lives with his mum in Birmingham.
Debbie said: "We only get to see Alfie once a month as he lives so far away, but he is growing into a fantastic little man and has all the liveliness and cheekiness of his dad.
"It is comforting to know there is someone who carries my Danny on."
Debbie says support from people who knew Danny or love the Army has helped her cope.
But she added: "When I'm home alone I can't help but look at his pictures and have a go at him – I ask 'why did you do this to me Danny?'
"On the other hand, I appreciate how big a difference my boy made to a lot of people's lives. Danny didn't die in vain."
Anyone wishing to pay their respects to Danny a year on from his death and help raise money for The 2 Rifles Charity is invited to attend a memorial football match this Sunday at Bromley Football Club, in Hayes Lane.
The match, between a team made up of Danny's friends and one of former teammates from Sunday league sides he played for, kicks off at 2pm with gates opening at noon.
Danny's aunt, Karen Brown, who will be trekking across the Sahara in October to raise money for armed forces charity Help for Heroes, raised more than £800 at a charity barbecue and disco on Saturday. To support her visit www.justgiving.com/Karen-Brown2
Comments
by Mike, Ex Croydon
Friday, July 23 2010, 9:57AM
“Whilst we hear the news of further tragic deaths amongst our troops we move on with our lives and whilst we may choose to contribute towards the charities that support our service people and their families we cannot feel the pain of a family that has lost one of their loved ones or had someone seriously injured whilst serving our country. These families will continue to feel the pain when we have long forgotten their tragic lose.”