Hero soldier helping from beyond grave

An heroic Black Country soldier who was killed saving the lives of his comrades in Afghanistan is the new face of a charity supporting servicemen in his regiment who have been seriously injured in action.

Guardsman Daniel Probyn, from Tipton, died in an explosion when his patrol came under attack in the town of Garmsir, Helmand Province, in May last year. He was 22. At the time fellow soldiers from the 1st Battalion the Grenadier Guards hailed him a hero for saving the lives of four comrades.

He warned them about the attack which subsequently cost him his life.

Now his image is being used by The Colonel’s Fund Grenadier Guards, which supports severely injured and disabled soldiers and their families.

His mother Ann Probyn said she was proud to be asked when she and husband Michael were consulted about the use of the picture, which shows Daniel in uniform and holding a gun.

The revelation comes on the eve of an army awards announcement which could see Daniel’s bravery honoured posthumously.

The Ministry of Defence is due to release an honours list of outstanding soldiers at midnight tonight.

And Mrs Probyn said the couple, who now live in Hawbush Road, Brierley Hill, had their fingers crossed Daniel would be among those brave servicemen named.

“I’m just hoping he does get something because it would mean a lot for my husband,” she said.

Mr Probyn has said an award would be a fitting tribute.

“He made the ultimate sacrifice.

“If Dan hadn’t been there four more people might have been killed and there would have been four more griving families,” he said.

The West Bromwich Albion fan had been commended for his bravery in Iraq during an attack just months before his death.

He was publicly applauded by army top brass for helping to take a seriously injured soldier to safety during a mortar attack during one of his two stints in the war-torn country.