Simon Hall's funeral on Monday (From Witney Gazette)

Simon Hall's funeral on Monday

2:43pm Tuesday 28th November 2006 in Witney

THE funeral of a private security contractor killed in Iraq will be held next Monday.

A service to celebrate the life of Simon Hall will be held at St Mary's Church, Charlbury, at 2pm.

Mr Hall, who was 39, was killed on November 17. He died of a gunshot wound in what is believed to be a terrorist ambush near to a border-crossing in southern Iraq.

He lived with his wife, Sarah, and their two children, Miranda and Alexander, in Dean, but lived for much of his life in Charlbury.

He was formerly a soldier in the Royal Artillery, and his former colleagues have paid tribute to him on an unofficial Army website.

They describe him as 'a hero amongst heroes,' and as 'a nice guy', and contacted the Witney Gazette to find out relevant details to send a wreath of flowers.