Ex-high school pupil killed in Afghanistan

A FORMER Warrington schoolboy is among the latest British soldiers to be killed in Afghanistan.
Fusilier Simon Annis, aged 22, was a pupil at Culcheth High School and was married only six months ago.
He died along with two others while trying to stretcher his section commander, Lance Corporal James Fullarton, to safety. Both men were killed, along with Fusilier Louis Carter who dived onto the stretcher in a desperate attempt to save L/Cpl Fullarton.
The soldiers were killed on patrol in Helmand, on Sunday.
Fusilier Annis, who grew up in Warrington, only married his wife, Caroline, in February.
She said: “He was a true hero who made all of us proud. He was a perfect husband. We will love and miss him always.”
Fusilier Annis joined The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, when he was just 19. His death has saddened former teachers at Culcheth High
Head teacher Martyn Froggett said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we have been informed of the untimely death of Fusilier Simon Annis on Sunday 16 August 2009 whilst serving for the 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in Afghanistan.
“It is difficult to put sentiments into words when we hear of the death of one of our former pupils.
“Simon attended Culcheth High School from 1998 to 2003.
“Our memory of him is one of a sunny natured young man with a great sense of humour who, even then, was committed to joining the army.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife and all his family and friends at this very difficult time.”
His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Calder, said: “Fusilier Simon Annis was a larger than life character, and a dedicated soldier. Always at the heart of whatever was going on, it was no surprise to me that he died whilst trying to save his mortally wounded Section Commander. He should be seen as a shining example to the nation of what selfless commitment really means. The heartfelt condolences of every Fusilier in Afghanistan go to Caroline, his wife of only a few months.”
Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson, Commanding Officer, 2 RIFLES Battle Group, said:
“Fusilier Annis was delightful in addition to being a quality soldier. A huge man, I used to encounter him on my way to breakfast on an almost daily basis and he used to stop me and ask me if I was OK. He had an ever-present grin and used to carry far more than his normal share on patrol. He was always laughing and used to lighten the mood in the darkest of times, often by breaking into particularly tuneless song.”
Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, said: “These three brave soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the security of all of us in the United Kingdom. Their deaths are truly heart-rending and their families are in my thoughts; the loved ones they have lost are true heroes.”
Picture…Simon and Caroline on their wedding day.