Hero of the Month: Private Daniel Prior (1983 – 2011)
Pte Daniel Prior was a loving husband, proud father, generous friend and dedicated sniper in the Parachute Regiment.
Daniel joined the paras at 24 years old and completed a tour of Afghanistan and intensive training courses in Kenya and the Falklands.
On the 16th of March 2011, Daniel was fatally wounded while serving and died two days later. He was 27 years old. His son, Logan, had only been born the previous month.
Pte Daniel Prior
“Everyone who knew Daniel said he was like a big teddy bear. He was so kind and loving and generous and would have given his last penny to anyone who needed it,” says Emily, Daniel’s wife. “He hardly ever lost his temper and was always looking out for people. He just wanted to make everybody laugh.”
When he wasn’t making people laugh, Daniel enjoyed keeping fit through regular runs and playing lots of sport, which helped him become hugely popular both at work and at home.
“He had such a good rapport with everyone he knew, even his lieutenants. People said he would go far in the Army as he got along so well with everyone, regardless of their rank or background. He could make anyone laugh. Daniel’s mum told me how, even when he was a kid at school, he got away with all sorts of trouble because the teachers found him just as funny as the students did. He was always a prankster but somehow avoided ever getting in any proper trouble. He once put one of his best friends in a dustbin and rolled him down a hill and used to smear butter on milk bottles. He never did anything really bad – he was just out to have fun and make people laugh.”
Daniel and Emily on their wedding day
When Daniel joined the parachute regiment, his cheeky personality and love of sport helped him fit in almost immediately, quickly making lots of friends. His uncle had served in the same regiment before dying in the Falklands. For Daniel, being a para was a way of honouring his uncle’s memory.
“Dan loved the military lifestyle and liked the fact his work took him to all these different places. I think he started to find being away from home a bit harder when we got together, and particularly after I fell pregnant with Logan. But he was always so proud of everything he and the men were doing. He was especially proud of becoming a sniper, and after coming back from the tour in Afghanistan he had just been put forward to be promoted.”
Daniel in uniform
Daniel and Emily’s son, Logan, was born on the 21st of February 2011. Daniel and Logan were only able to spend a few short days together before he had to leave again, but this time was incredibly special for the whole family.
“They only got a few days together, but I’m so pleased they did. He was so proud. His colleagues have told me that after going back out he talked about Logan all the time and was showing them all his picture.”
Just under a month later, Daniel was fatally wounded. He died from his injuries on the 18th of March 2011.
Daniel holding Logan for the first time
“We talk about Dan every day, especially now Logan is getting older and asking more questions. We have a very close bond with Dan’s family and see them lots as well. We all tend to visit his grave about once a month, especially around Remembrance, and we always attend a service. Sometimes we visit Dan’s parents at Remembrance and all go together.”
As he’s grown older, Logan has become more and more like his dad – something Emily finds comforting.
“Logan is literally Dan’s double. He looks very much like him, and personality-wise they’re very similar as well. Logan is so caring and he looks out for all his friends. He's taken on that trait massively. It makes me so happy to see him becoming a lovely young man like his dad.”
Emily and Logan
Logan joined Scotty’s in 2014 and has been supported by the charity ever since, benefitting from Scotty Breaks, grants, Christmas parties and the option to access to one-to-one bereavement support. Through these events, he has been able to meet lots of bereaved military children who can understand and relate to what he’s been through.
“Logan’s been on a number of Scotty breaks and it always gives him something to look forward to. We’ve been to a few of the Christmas parties which are also great, as it’s a chance for him to speak to kids his age who have been through similar stuff and understand what it’s like. We also attended Remembrance with Scotty’s a couple of years ago, and we both found that really rewarding. He felt very proud that day.”
Daniel kissing Logan
Emily continues:
“Being around other children Scotty’s support helps Logan open up, and I’ve made such good friends with some of their parents. Being an Army wife, I had a really special bond to other Army wives and that whole military community, but when Daniel died I felt like I lost that community. Joining Scotty’s helped Logan and I feel like we weren’t on our own.”
Pte Daniel Prior
