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| Funeral for 18-year-old soldier | Funeral for 18-year-old soldier |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The funeral will take place later of an 18-year-old soldier from Doncaster who was killed in Afghanistan without ever meeting his baby son. | The funeral will take place later of an 18-year-old soldier from Doncaster who was killed in Afghanistan without ever meeting his baby son. |
| Rifleman Liam Maughan, from 3 Rifles, was shot and killed while on watch in Sangin, Helmand province, on 6 March. | Rifleman Liam Maughan, from 3 Rifles, was shot and killed while on watch in Sangin, Helmand province, on 6 March. |
| He had become a father just weeks before his death. | He had become a father just weeks before his death. |
| Rifleman Maughan was providing protection to his platoon when he died. A funeral will be held at St Lawrence Church, Doncaster. | Rifleman Maughan was providing protection to his platoon when he died. A funeral will be held at St Lawrence Church, Doncaster. |
| In an earlier tribute to Rifleman Maughan, his family said: "Liam was a tall, handsome six-footer with looks to melt the heart of any girl and make men envious, but he was also a son and a brother, a fiance and a father to his own son who he will now never meet. | |
| "This cruel and premature departure from us leaves dreams unfulfilled, potentials unrealised and a massive irreparable hole in the lives of everyone who knew him." | |
| 'Great sacrifice' | |
| Lt Col Nick Kitson, commanding officer 3 Rifles Battle Group, described his death as a "devastating blow". | Lt Col Nick Kitson, commanding officer 3 Rifles Battle Group, described his death as a "devastating blow". |
| He said: "Our thoughts and prayers are very much with Rifleman Maughan's infant son, as they are with the rest of his family, and we hope that he may grow up to understand just how great a sacrifice his father made in the service of his country." | He said: "Our thoughts and prayers are very much with Rifleman Maughan's infant son, as they are with the rest of his family, and we hope that he may grow up to understand just how great a sacrifice his father made in the service of his country." |
| Rifleman Jean De Clerk said: "He was always in high spirits because of his job as platoon sharpshooter and I am confident he would have been a fine sniper which was his aspiration. | |
| The head teacher and pupils of Rifleman Maughan's college in Doncaster also paid tribute to him. | |
| Dave Williams, associate head of Hatfield Visual Arts College, said: "Liam was a good student, he was very popular with both staff and his peers. | |
| He added: "When he came in to collect his references he was very excited, he really wanted to join the Army and felt it was the best thing for him to do." |