Final journey for victims of Afghan conflict

The body of a Doncaster soldier killed in Afghanistan has been returned to Wooton Bassett.

Rifleman Liam Maughan, 18, of 3 Rifles, died from wounds after coming under fire near Sangin, in Helmand province.

He was shot and killed while guarding his platoon as they engaged with the local population. He leaves behind his parents, girlfriend, and a newborn son he never saw.

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His family said in an earlier tribute: “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 fianc 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.”

The repatriation service was held for five servicemen killed in Afghanistan. All died in the space of six days this month.

Also flown home to nearby RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire yesterday morning were Riflemen Jonathon Allott, 19, of 3 Rifles, Corporal Richard Green, of 3 Rifles, Corporal Stephen Thompson, of 1 Rifles, and Lance Corporal Thomas Keogh, of 4 Rifles.

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A private service was held at the base’s chapel before the Union flag-draped coffins drove past the war memorial. Relatives placed flowers on top of the black cars, as has become tradition.

In the crowd was Stuart Keogh, the uncle of L/Cpl Keogh, 24, from Paddington, in London, who was killed by a gunshot wound in Sangin.

Mr Keogh, 38, from London, said: “He was loved by all the family and we are very very proud of the job he did to protect our country.”

Cpl Green, 23, born in Reading, also died near Sangin in Helmand province.

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Cpl Thompson, 31, from Bovey Tracey, in Devon, was killed by an explosive device 3km south of Sangin. He leaves behind his mother and father, Carol and Peter, brother, Philip, sisters, Claire and Helen, and his young son, Ewan.

Rifleman Allott died from an another bomb near Sangin.

Stephanie Orr, 23, his partner of seven months, said: “He was just lovely. I’m thinking of all those people going through what I am going through.”