Balancing humanity with rank - a small tribute to Dr Simon Gallier

Attending the funeral of Dr. Simon Gallier yesterday in Marylebone was a privilege and, at the request of his family, an opportunity to celebrate a life lived to the full.

There have been other eulogies, notably on GDP-UK, from the dental profession, so it's not my place to add to them.

At St James Roman Catholic Church we heard from his elder brother Nigel Gallier (also a soldier), his best man and lifelong friend Russell Sowden and his wife Wendy, all of whom spoke with grace and dignity.

Wendy touched our hearts in so many ways, perhaps most when she reported finding, just two days after his passing, a note from Simon's young son that read:

"Simon - soldier, dentist, hero."

One reflection from Nigel Gallier really hit home.

That, as an officer, Simon was able to "balance humanity with rank".

I'll miss my chats with Simon about his life and work - and I know he would be bewildered by the turn out at St James and by what was said of him.