Teenage UK soldier killed in Afghanistan 'never met his son'
UK soldier killed in Afghanistan on Saturday named as Rifleman Liam Maughan by Ministry of Defence
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Monday, 08, Mar 2010 10:16
By Matthew Champion.
The 270th British soldier to be killed in Afghanistan had recently become a father and never met his son, his family said late on Sunday.
Rifleman Liam Maughan from Three Rifles was yesterday named as the UK soldier killed in a fire-fight with insurgents in Sangin, Helmand province, on Saturday.
The 18-year-old, from Doncaster, leaves behind his parents, girlfriend and newborn son.
His family said in a statement: "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."
His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson said the young soldier had been an "absolute credit to his family and our nation".
"Selfless and committed, he died working tirelessly to provide security and hope for the local people of Sangin who may never know nor understand the great sacrifice that he has made on their behalf," Lt Col Kitson said.
"Rifleman Maughan was loved by those who stood alongside him and will be sorely missed by us all, his comrades."
Since Rifleman Maughan's death on Saturday another UK soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, taking the UK death-toll there to 271.
The MoD has already named the British soldier killed on Friday, also from Three Rifles, as Rifleman Jonathon Allott, 19.