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Funeral for 18-year-old soldier | Funeral for 18-year-old soldier |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Hundreds of people turned out to pay their respects to a young soldier from Doncaster who was killed in Afghanistan without ever meeting his baby son. | Hundreds of people turned out to pay their respects to a young soldier from Doncaster who was killed in Afghanistan without ever meeting his baby son. |
Rifleman Liam Maughan, 18, from 3 Rifles, was shot while on watch in Sangin, Helmand province, on 6 March. | Rifleman Liam Maughan, 18, from 3 Rifles, was shot while on watch in Sangin, Helmand province, on 6 March. |
He had become a father to his son Jayden, just weeks before his death. | He had become a father to his son Jayden, just weeks before his death. |
At his funeral at St Lawrence Church in Doncaster, his father David said: "We have been robbed of ever knowing Liam the man and Liam the father." | At his funeral at St Lawrence Church in Doncaster, his father David said: "We have been robbed of ever knowing Liam the man and Liam the father." |
Crowds lined the streets around the church as the soldier's coffin, which included a white floral tribute, that spelled out Dad, was carried in. | Crowds lined the streets around the church as the soldier's coffin, which included a white floral tribute, that spelled out Dad, was carried in. |
'Beautiful boy' | 'Beautiful boy' |
Many mourners in the small village, where a handful of shops had covered their doors with Union flags and black ribbons, remained outside and listened to the service through loud speakers. | Many mourners in the small village, where a handful of shops had covered their doors with Union flags and black ribbons, remained outside and listened to the service through loud speakers. |
In a eulogy, Mr Maughan said Liam as a child was an "easy baby" who was always "happy, smiling and relaxed" and these qualities transcended into adult life. | In a eulogy, Mr Maughan said Liam as a child was an "easy baby" who was always "happy, smiling and relaxed" and these qualities transcended into adult life. |
"I was constantly approached by women fussing over him and telling us what a beautiful little boy he was and how he would break hearts one day. | "I was constantly approached by women fussing over him and telling us what a beautiful little boy he was and how he would break hearts one day. |
Maj Chris Willis said Rifleman Maughan was a young man "full of potential" | Maj Chris Willis said Rifleman Maughan was a young man "full of potential" |
"Liam continued to receive this type of comment throughout his life but we never imagined in our darkest nightmares just how that heartbreak would manifest itself." | "Liam continued to receive this type of comment throughout his life but we never imagined in our darkest nightmares just how that heartbreak would manifest itself." |
He said his son had managed throughout his life to get into "scrapes" but get away with it. | He said his son had managed throughout his life to get into "scrapes" but get away with it. |
"He did not see danger, serious was not in his vocabulary, he took everything in his stride and nothing fazed him." | "He did not see danger, serious was not in his vocabulary, he took everything in his stride and nothing fazed him." |
He added: "I thought, I hoped, it would be this knack of his for getting away with it that would keep him safe in Afghanistan. | He added: "I thought, I hoped, it would be this knack of his for getting away with it that would keep him safe in Afghanistan. |
"I thought he was indestructible, and that he would return as unaffected and unimpressed as he was with most things." | "I thought he was indestructible, and that he would return as unaffected and unimpressed as he was with most things." |
Rifleman Maughan was providing protection to his platoon when he died. | Rifleman Maughan was providing protection to his platoon when he died. |
Major Chris Willis, Officer Commanding 3rd Battalion Rifles Rear Operations, described Rifleman Maughan as a "young man full of potential". | |
Lieutenant Tom Vila, Officer Commanding 5 Platoon B Company 3 Rifles Battle Group, said he was "the bravest of the brave, swift and bold". |