Prince Harry pays tribute to fallen soldiers
Corporal Liam Riley and Lance Corporal Graham Shaw
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Wednesday, 03, Feb 2010 08:37
By Richard James.
Prince Harry has paid tribute to two British soldiers killed in roadside blasts in southern Afghanistan on Monday.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed Corporal Liam Riley, 21, and Lance Corporal Graham Shaw, 27, died in two explosions near Malgir, in Helmand province.
The pair, from 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, serving as part of the 1 Coldstream Guards Battle Group, had been out on foot patrol when they were caught up in the explosions.
Yesterday Prince Harry paid tribute to Corporal Riley who he described as a "legend". The prince served with the 21-year-old during training in Canada in 2007.
He said in a statement: "I remember Liam Riley so well from the time we spent serving together at the British army training unit at Suffield in Canada.
"He was a legend. A really special man who got us all going and heading in the right direction. It was a privilege to have worked alongside him."
The prince added: "It is incredibly sad also to hear that Liam died alongside his friend, Lance Corporal Graham Shaw.
"My heart goes out to their loved ones, and to their many, many friends in their regiment and the wider army."
Defence secretary Bon Ainsworth, who is set to announce the government's green paper on the armed forces later, also paid tribute to the pair in a statement released through the MoD.
"Lance Corporal Shaw was an impressive and respected soldier, and was devoted to his job. He was a natural leader who was popular with the troops, and he will be sorely missed," he said.
"My thoughts are with his family and friends, and with his colleagues from both 3 Yorks and the Coldstream Guards."
He added: "Corporal Liam Riley stood out to his Commanding Officers as a highly capable soldier who made a valuable contribution to the army. His courage to the last is an example to all of us and he will be deeply missed by his family, friends and fellow soldiers.
"My sympathies lie with them all at this most devastating of times."
Corporal Riley's family said they were proud of the 21-year-old, declaring: "He was very conscientious with his army work and didn't want to disappoint anyone. We were very proud of him and what he achieved both in life and in his army career.
"He was a bubbly, fun-loving lad and all his family and friends loved him - no-one will ever replace him."
Lance Corporal Shaw's family said the 27-year-old had "enjoyed life to the full" stating: "He was proud to be a member of the British army like his father before him. He knew the danger that he was to face whilst serving in Afghanistan.
"He lost his life doing the job he liked and enjoyed. We are all very proud of our hero."
Since 2001, 253 British service personnel have been killed in Afghanistan.