Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2011, Private Daniel Steven Prior, from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, died of wounds sustained two days earlier in Afghanistan. He and his fellow paratroopers were on patrol in a small village in Nahr-e-Saraj district when he was wounded by an IED.
He had completed basic training in 2008, and at the time of his death was considered to be the best soldier in D company, top of the list for the next JNCO course. WO2 John Hulme said: “Private Prior was one of the senior Toms in D Company, someone that I would rely on daily to get things done. I remember him being utterly dependable, completely unflappable, and always perfectly calm and collected under fire. He was a true asset to the Company, and a perfect ambassador for the Regiment. He was a mature, level headed and supremely fit soldier, who had been handpicked to work as part of a multiple with a difficult and testing task. He handled this without breaking stride. He was never found wanting, and never gave anything less than 100%. He had a great sense of humour which helped everyone around him especially through some of the more grim times here, I remember a few days before his death, as we were evacuating one of our wounded, I saw Dan caked in mud, soaking wet and looking pretty exhausted, I asked how he was, and he gave me his trademark grin, and said “Good, but it’s a bit wet here Sir”, as he took up a fire position to provide cover for us, as we set off back to camp. Dan will be sorely missed by everyone within the D Company family. Rest in peace Dan, you were a role model to the rest of the Toms, and you will never be forgotten.”
Private Prior was given the middle name Steven in honour of his uncle, Corporal Steven Prior, also of The Parachute Regiment, who had been killed in the Falklands war the year before Private Prior's birth - he was shot by a sniper as he tried to drag a wounded comrade to safety during the battle of Goose Green. Both Daniel and Steven were 27 years old when they died as they each went to the aid of a comrade.
Daniel, from Brighton, had just returned to Afghanistan after being home for the birth of his son.
