Rifleman Daniel Wild died a hero, trying to help a fallen comrade in Afghanistan. Yesterday family, friends, comrades and strangers gathered to say goodbye. Dani Webb reports.

NEW details of the heroism that cost a North-East soldier his life emerged yesterday, as hundreds of people brought a town to a standstill to pay their respects.

A full military funeral for Daniel Wild, 19, was held at St Mary’s Church, in Horden, County Durham.

Rifleman Wild, from Easington Colliery, died with two other soldiers when improvised roadside bombs exploded during an operation in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 13.

He and Captain Mark Hale, 42, from Bournemouth, were attempting to carry their comrade, 23-year-old Lance Bombadier Matthew Hatton, of Haxby, near York, to a helicopter landing zone in Sangin following the first blast when they were caught in a second explosion.

Before yesterday’s ceremony, Major Alastair Field, of the 2nd Battalion of the Rifles, paid tribute, saying: “Danny Wild was extremely calm under pressure, he was a very brave and fearless young man.

“He saw his comrade wounded and had a split second to decide what to do. He showed complete selflessness doing what he did. He was extremely courageous.”

Veterans from the British Legion formed a guard of honour outside the church grounds as the funeral cortege arrived.

BEFORE his death, Daniel Wild was just like any other teenager enjoying doing the job he loved.

But at 10.30am yesterday, his heroic actions in Afghanistan were recognised as hundreds of people stood in silence, their heads bowed outside church to pay their respects.

The former mining village of Horden, County Durham, came to a standstill as mourners gathered inside and outside St Mary’s Parish Church.

As the cortege wound its way up Blackhills Terrace towards the brick church, local people could be seen at the windows of their homes watching the tragic procession.

Proceeded by a chief mourner dressed all in black, the cortege arrived outside the church under blue skies. It glided slowly past a guard of honour formed by British Legion veterans, their medals proudly displayed, their shoulders back and heads held high.

Scores of mourners, many of them servicemen and women, lined the sloping path leading up to the entrance.

Many more stood in the grounds opposite as the coffin, draped in the union flag, was carried inside by six soldiers.

The 19-year-old, from Easington Colliery, died in an explosion alongside Captain Mark Hale, 42, as they carried injured Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton to a helicopter landing zone in Sangin, Helmand, on August 13.

Daniel’s mother, Laura Laws, led the procession of family and friends, using a tissue to dab away the tears and holding hands with relatives for support.

She had tried to talk Danny – as he was known to his friends – out of joining the Army and hoped he would miss out on a tour of Aghanistan because of his age.

But her brave boy had always wanted to be in the Army.

Serving in the forces was his dream.

He signed up in 2007 when he was 17, and immediately set his sights on joining the Rifles.

However, he had to wait until he was 18 to be eligible to serve in Afghanistan.

In a tragic irony, the teenager was only days away from finishing his tour of duty when he was caught in a Taliban explosion.

He made a split second decision to cross a mine field to help an injured comrade.

Major Alastair Field, of the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, said: “Danny Wild was tragically killed trying to save one of his comrades’ lives. He showed utter selflessness in doing what he did. Sangin is a difficult and challenging place and he knew the risks.

“He was a mature young man, despite his age, and he was extremely brave doing what he did.

“He was extremely calm under pressure. Unflappable is one description, which is exactly what you need when conducting a high-risk patrol.

“His family should take some solace from the fact he was doing a job he chose.

“He wanted to go to Afghanistan, he wanted to have the professional challenge and he died doing a job he loved.”

Following his death, his family spoke of their pride.

His stepfather, Alan Simmons, said: “We didn’t want a hero and I told him that only last week, but it is exactly what we have got now.

“We are so proud of him and will miss him very much.

“He always put other people first, and that was what he was doing when he died. He cared for his other colleagues before himself.”

The keen Sunderland supporter was a loving brother to Dale, 15, Christopher, 12 and Megan, five.

Those who had come to pay their respects stayed until the funeral cortege left for a private burial.

Danny Wild may be gone, but his heroism and sacrifice will be remembered for many years to come.