Fusilier Simon Annis, from Cadishead, was only 22 when he was killed with two comrades from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in Afghanistan on August 16 last year as he tried to save his section commander following an explosion.
His loved ones marked the anniversary by visiting Simon’s grave, before releasing 20 lanterns into the night sky from Cadishead Park.
Speaking about the last year, Simon’s mum Ann said the family, including dad Peter, sister Natalie and brother Stuart, has struggled to cope with the tragedy. It has been an horrendous year," she said. "Losing Simon was devastating, then it all came back with the inquest and now the anniversary. "Every time you watch the TV, Afghanistan is mentioned and it hits home that Simon is gone. "We are coming to terms with Simon’s death very slowly, but we’ll never fully get over it."
The family has set up the Simon Annis Appeal, which raises money for the Fusilier Aid Society, and in the past year has collected £28,000. Ann says the appeal is helping the family look to the future. "Without that support and the appeal to focus on, I don’t know how I would have gone on," she said. "But we have to look to the future. The support from the local community has been unbelievable and is growing all the time." Simon joined the regiment in 2009 and married his sweetheart Caroline weeks before he left for Afghanistan.
Alongside comrade Fus Louis Carter, 18, Simon rushed to the aid of Lance Corporal James Fullarton, 24, after he was caught in an explosion as he crossed a river bed in Helmand. As the pair lifted L/Cpl Fullarton on to a stretcher, they triggered a second device, causing an explosion which killed all three soldiers.
Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that Simon Annis, James Fullarton and and Louis Carter are in heaven. Let us pray that they are at peace and are with God. Amen
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