Warrant Officer 2nd Class Dan Shirley
Your Memories
30.06.2008 : paul compton wrote
Well RIP DAN SHIRLEY. we met only 4 months ago on handover/takeover and i was engulfed by his professional and motivated manner. A true soldier whose sense of humour and unbelievable attitude was larger than life itsself. The world has been robbed of a true gentleman and a top quality soldier.
Although no longer with us his professionalism will continue to save lifes in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan's family in this difficult time.
SSgt P. Compton
27 Regt
01.07.2008 : Keenan Gratrick wrote
Icky Gratrick
Served with Danny true diamond, He had a wicked sense of humour and truely loved and lived life to the full. When we trained 2 Sig Boxing Team he was always first to vol to go in with the lads first and have a ding dong. RIP Danny, you wont fade away just re group - AIRBORNE -
01.07.2008 : Richard Stinson wrote
I am so sorry to hear of this loss, Daniel was a great man.
I remember the good times we have all shared as a family. I also remember the last time we bumped into each other, a few years back now. I was pleased to see what I fine young man he had become and that he was doing something positive with his life and something he enjoyed. There was something about him that exuded confidence and charisma, properties of a true leader of men. Yet at the same time it was clear to see he had remained an absolute gentleman.
Again, I am so sorry for this loss of such a fine young man.
Richard Stinson (friend).
01.07.2008 : Vernon Richards wrote
A few weeks back, I thought I'd manage to catch up with my old mate "3 10 Minutes" and was waiting to hear back from you or your family and now this. I'm sorry I didn't get to thank you for being an inspiration. I'm forever telling people about this dude I met at school when I was 10 - he knew what he was going to do with his life from such an early age and once he knew what his dream was, he made sure he achieved it. That's a lesson I took on board some years later and I've been trying to live by it ever since. Sorry I didn't get to tell you this in person brother. R.I.P. Shirley Shirley. My thoughts are with your family at this time.
01.07.2008 : Chris Hames wrote
Danny was a top bloke, great climber too even with only 3 proper fingers on one of his hands!
He was APTC not RLC, true to say he wouldnt be happy with being accused of being RLC!
A great mate and will be missed by all, thoughts to his family, a proper airborne ledgend!
SSI C Hames APTC
Warrant officer killed in road accident while serving in Afghanistan
Warrant Officer 2nd Class Dan Shirley of the Royal Logistic Corps was killed in a road accident in Afghanistan on 27 June, 2008, aged 32.
He and two other soldiers were travelling in an armed jeep on a patrol near Camp Bastion in the Helmand province when the vehicle overturned, trapping WO2 Shirley underneath.
A medical team was called and they took him back to the camp for treatment but he was declared dead shortly afterwards. The other soldiers escaped with only minor injuries.
Dan Shirley was born on 1 December, 1975, and grew up in Leicester. He joined the Army at 16 and served with the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment. He went on to be part of the Army Physical Training Corps, bringing other troops up to required fitness standards.
In June 2006 he moved to 13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps with whom he was serving in Afghanistan at the time of his death. His duties there included running the Regimental Training Wing.
He leaves a partner, Michelle, and their two young children.
His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel R J McNeil, was among those to pay tribute to him: "The loss of WO2 Dan Shirley has come as a huge shock to every member of the Regiment. He was known to all and universally respected. More than that, he was liked and admired. He was a perfect role model for young soldiers. He was fit, irrepressibly enthusiastic and superbly professional.
"He was fiercely proud of being a soldier and his love of the job shone through in everything he did.
"Our thoughts and sympathies are now with WO2 Shirley's family and with his two young children. He will be deeply mourned. His memorial will be the skills that he imparted. They have already saved lives and will save more. This is a fitting tribute to an extraordinary soldier."
Captain Ian Bruce said: "WO2 Dan Shirley was an inspirational man and soldier. He was renowned for leading from the front. His outstanding personal soldiering skills, infectious enthusiasm and sense of fun rubbed off on all those who worked with him.
"WO2 Shirley had that rare ability to get that little extra out of everyone he taught. He is sorely missed by us all. Our immediate thoughts are with his grieving family and friends who he so dearly loved."
Friend and colleague Sergeant Nick Murphy said: "Dan was the epitome of the airborne soldier. He was extremely fit, incredibly passionate about everything he did and was 100 per cent professional at all times. Dan was massively proud of his profession and never let anyone forget that he was originally a soldier with the Parachute Regiment.
"He was always talking about his family and loved taking his children to watch his beloved Leicester City. We will all miss his endless banter, energy and sense of humour."
Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Warrant Officer 2nd Class Dan Shirley in this tragic incident. He was a model soldier and his professionalism and determination was an inspiration to all his colleagues. I know that he will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at what must be the most difficult of times." He was the 109th member of the British armed forces to die in the troubled country since operations began in 2001 and one of 13 to die in June 2008. Tributes to all those killed can be read here.
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