Family says thanks as prince pays tribute to hero soldier

THE heartbroken family of a Yorkshire soldier killed trying to rescue a comrade in Afghanistan have thanked Prince Harry for describing their son as a "legend", saying: "He's just backed up what we've thought for 21 years."

The parents of Corporal Liam Riley fought back tears as they voiced their pride at their son's bravery and their sorrow at his death in an explosion in Helmand on Monday, just four weeks after he arrived in Afghanistan.

Both 21-year-old Cpl Riley and his Yorkshire Regiment comrade, Lance Corporal Graham Shaw, who also died in an explosion on Monday just a day after his 27th birthday, were the subjects of glowing tributes from the Prince this week. Harry had served with Cpl Riley at a military training unit in Canada three years ago, and described him as a "really special man".

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cpl Riley's family said yesterday they were grateful for the Prince's kind words.

Speaking from her home in Killamarsh, Sheffield, Cpl Riley's mother Cheryl Routledge said of her son: "He's a legend. We've known it for 21 years. He (the Prince) has just backed up what we've always thought."

The family spoke movingly of Cpl Riley's long-held and burning ambition to join the army.

Mrs Routledge said: "If you asked him at eight, nine, 10 years old, 'What are you going to do?', he said: 'I'm going to be a soldier.' That's all he ever, ever wanted to do."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She said her son had been devastated to miss out on going to Afghanistan with his company last year while on a corporal training course, and so jumped at the chance to go this year.

"He so, so wanted to go. He got his wish."

Mrs Routledge said her son had told everyone before he left: "Don't worry about me – I'm too good-looking to die."

The soldier's brother Jonathan, 22, choked back tears as he said: "We'd like to say thankyou to Prince Harry for his kind words."

The brothers were just 14 months apart in age and were often described as twins.

"I couldn't have asked for a better brother," he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mrs Routledge said that after their time together in Canada, her son had joked that Prince Harry would always remember meeting Liam Riley.

She added he was always proud of meeting the Prince, and described how he shared his birthday cake.

"Liam never bigged anything up about himself in the Army," Mrs Routledge said. "But he was just Oh yes, I've met Harry'. But he did tell us he was such a decent guy."

The family spoke of their son's pride at a photograph taken of himself and the Prince in Canada.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They said Cpl Riley's six-year-old sister Olivia wanted to take the picture to school with her this week.

His father Michael said his son had been football mad and a devoted Sheffield Wednesday fan like the rest of the family, having held a season ticket from the age of four.

Cpl Riley also loved playing football, turning out for a range of teams while growing up in the Beighton area of Sheffield where he lived until he was 14.

Mr Riley was in tears as he said: "We're so proud. You read things in the paper, and everyone can read about him. But everyone I know just loved him to bits. He was just a lovely lad."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Asked about reports that his son died helping his comrades, Mr Riley said: "That is Liam. He would do anything for anybody. He would never think of any consequences that would happen to him."

His mother added: "He hadn't a bad bone in his body. I could not think of one person in this world who would have a bad word for our Liam, because he didn't have one for anyone else. He'll never leave us – we've too many good memories."