SIMON CULLINGWORTHStaff Sergeant Simon Cullingworth, who died in Iraq on 23 March, 2003, aged 36, was a career soldier who had been due to be promoted to Sergeant Major.Staff SergeantCullingworth of 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) was killed in an ambush by Iraqi forces in the southern Iraqi town of Al Zubayr. Sapper Luke Allsopp was killed in the same incident.He was on his third tour of duty with his regiment having previously served as Bomb Disposal Officer in the Balkans and Afghanistan.He had been married to Allison for 10 years and had two young sons, Matthew and Jack, aged 8 and 3.Staff SergeantCullingworth was from Essex and was educated at Brentwood School.An experienced and professional soldier, Staff Sergeant Cullingworth was scheduled to have been promoted to Sergeant Major had it not been for his death.His Regiment's second in command, Major Alec Campbell, said: "I would have expected him to have become Regimental Sergeant Major - he was of that calibre."Staff Sergeant Cullingworth was buried with full military honours at All Saints Church, Wimbish. More than 250 mourners were present to hear a 12-gun salute fired in his honour.Major Campbell added: "He was meticulous in the way he ran his troop. He was thoroughly reliable - the sort of man who is the backbone of the British Army."His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Troulan, said: "Simon Cullingworth was an extremely experienced soldier who was in line for promotion and whose dedication to duty and professionalism won him the respect of everyone he served with."Staff SergeantCullingworth was a brave and exemplary soldier who was respected by his troops. He was a keen supporter of Braintree Town football club. A football match between the Royal Engineers and the club was played on 26 July, 2003, to honour Simon's memory.
Keep me informed of updates
