In 2003, Simon was only weeks out of school, when the accident happened. He had only a couple of months to go until he left his home in Bilston to join the army. He went to work that day, as ever, just to earn some extra money so he could among other things, go to London with his girlfriend, Claire.

He was your typical teenage lad, he was into everything that kids that age are into football he loved (and had played successfully for many years), he loved computer games and Playstation games and enjoyed the jovial company of his family and friends. Thankfully he never got into any real trouble (he was a lad like any other and was used to the odd bit of rule bending) and was always good mannered and respectful of others. He was a popular boy at school among his peers and the staff at Moseley Park in Bilston. At the time of the accident he had just finished his GCSE’s and was awaiting the results. He never got to see how well he had done but he had managed to pass them all making his mum and all of his family very proud of him.

Simon had worked at the weekend on the chicken and egg stall in Bilston market for a while. He always worked hard and enjoyed what he did, it wasn’t much but it helped him pay his way and understand how hard work, worked. He was an independent lad who was much happier going out and earning his pocket money than having to rely on his mum to support him. I know he was happier doing stuff than getting hand outs, aren’t we all though? He made a lot of good friends on the market in Bilston and was very close friends with his colleague, Ben.

Simon was the middle child of three, he has a younger brother, Andrew aged 14 at the time and an older sister, Laura aged 18 at the time. Both of them miss him very much and are thankful of the time they had with him. They are proud to be able to call him there brother. I’m proud to be able to call him my nephew. He was a good lad and a good mate even when so young.

He was a massive football fan, he enjoyed playing and watching the sport. He was an ardent supporter of Manchester United and he also played for his school Moseley Park and for several local Sunday clubs where he won many trophies.

For a couple of years he attended the Army Cadets in Bilston and decided he wanted to join the army proper and be a soldier serving his country. The day after the accident his mum Jane received a letter from the Army careers confirming that he had been accepted and could begin training in Harrogate in September 2003. This was a very upsetting time for Jane but she had the comfort that he had achieved what he wanted. He was able enough to chase to his dreams, that small thing proved his passing was a waste - but his life was not, it was clearly full of promise and prospect.

When Simon left us he also left behind a distraught girlfriend. He met Claire Spittle whilst working on the market in Bilston, she worked on a stall nearby. They were both each others first love and although they only had two months together Claire says she will remember Simon for ever for the special and unique guy he was.

Rest easy now Sie and may God bless you.

I’ll be seeing you again sometime, somewhere, in the future. Keep a glass of beer chilled for me mate.

Here’s thinking about you, all my love,

Uncle Jay.