Prince leads tributes to Afghanistan blast soldiers

Cpl Riley, 21, of 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, serving as part of the 1 Coldstream Guards Battle Group, died alongside Lance Corporal Graham Shaw, who turned 27 on Sunday, in two explosions near Malgir, Afghanistan, yesterday morning.

The Prince, who spent 10 weeks on the frontline in Afghanistan before being flown home in February 2008, said: "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.

"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

Cpl Riley, from Sheffield, and L/Cpl Shaw, from Huddersfield, were hailed as heroes by relatives and comrades. They were both on foot patrol when they were killed.

Cpl Riley, an avid Sheffield Wednesday supporter who held a season ticket until joining the Army, had taken to Army life "like a duck to water" his family said.

In a statement through the Ministry of Defence, his relatives said: "Liam was a wonderful son who always wanted to join the Army from being very young. He loved Army-style stories as a little boy.

"When he was old enough to join he took to Army life like a duck to water. 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.

"Liam liked sport and tried many different types - long enough to join or get the kit - but none lasted as long as football.

"This was his love and when he was at home he played for both Beighton Magpies and the Throstles and was a keen Sheffield Wednesday supporter even when he was away in Afghanistan. One of the things he asked when he rang home was how Wednesday were doing.

"He loved and respected his family and friends and was very close to his siblings, Jonathan and Olivia. He was a bubbly, fun-loving lad and all his family and friends loved him - no one will ever replace him."

A statement on the Sheffield Wednesday website said the club was "distressed" to hear the lifelong fan had died.

L/Cpl Shaw's family said: "Russ and Karen Shaw, and all the members of Graham's family are deeply saddened by the loss of a beloved member of the family who has been taken away from us in the prime of life.

"Graham enjoyed life to the full, running everywhere. He ran to visit relatives in Calderdale and often ran on the moors near his home. He was very active and took part in many different sports from sky diving last summer to skiing with the Army in Canada and even surfing on the South coast - he was up for anything.

"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. We ask that the family be left to grieve in peace."

The incident brought the tally of British military deaths since the Afghan campaign started in 2001 to 253 - just two short of the number who died during the Falklands War in 1982.

The Prince, serving with the Household Cavalry Regiment, was removed from Afghanistan amid fears for his safety when his deployment was reported in foreign media.

Harry's involvement was kept secret by the UK media to prevent details reaching the Taliban and endangering him and his comrades.

He was removed after news of his deployment was leaked on a US website.

Cpl Riley, a "star of the future", had volunteered at short notice to serve in Afghanistan and had died while trying to "extract" a member of his team, his comrades said. He had only been out in Afghanistan since December.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth paid tribute to the pair, saying: "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. My thoughts are with his family and friends, and with his colleagues from both 3 Yorks and the Coldstream Guards.

"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."

Lieutenant Colonel Tom Vallings, commanding officer of 3 Yorks, said: "Corporal Liam Riley volunteered at short notice to serve in Afghanistan, such was his eagerness to do his duty.

"He was a strapping soldier from Sheffield and at only 21 years old had been identified as one of our stars of the future.

"He was an inspirational leader of men and was the youngest corporal in the Battalion. I have little doubt that he was heading to the top of his unique profession.

"He led by example, with boundless energy and an infectious smile that would spur his team on when life got tough. He was killed today by an IED in Helmand, whilst heroically returning fire to extract one of his team. He personified all the very best qualities of a Yorkshire soldier: brave, tough, honest and proud."

L/Col Vallings added that "his loss has hit us hard".

Lieutenant Colonel Toby Gray, Commanding Officer, 1 Coldstream Guards Battle Group, added: "In the short period Corporal Riley served with the Coldstream Battle Group, there had been only the highest of praise for this exceptionally talented and promising JNCO. He had the brightest of futures ahead of him."

Major Charlie Foinette, Officer Commanding 4 Company, 1 Coldstream Guards, said: "I was privileged to know Corporal Riley only for a short while, but from the moment he arrived at the beginning of January to join the battle group he stood out."

Major Nick McKenzie, Officer Commanding Corunna Company, 3 Yorks, said: "Corporal Riley was outstanding during our pre-deployment training prior to his deployment as a battle casualty replacement in late December last year. He was delighted to deploy with a 3 Yorks multiple that was attached to the Coldstream Guards.

"Corporal Riley was one of the best soldiers I have ever met, who clearly had a bright future ahead of him."

L/Cpl Shaw was team leader of a base security foot patrol when an improvised explosive device detonated, killing him instantly, the MoD said.

L/Col Vallings said he was "totally selfless".

He added: "He had that knack of being able to balance both work and play to ensure he got the very best out of all that he tackled.

"He was from Huddersfield and he had that Yorkshire fighting spirit in abundance. You would want him on your team whatever the task. Lance Corporal Graham Shaw was at his best on operations where he thrived under the added pressure and difficult conditions.

"He would brighten your day with his sense of humour and determination to get the job done. Lance Corporal Graham Shaw's loss is felt by us all in this close knit Battalion, but none more so than by his family and friends and our thoughts and prayers are with them. A great soldier and a great bloke who served his country and his friends, making Afghanistan a better place."

L/Col Gray said it was a "privileged to have had such a fine soldier".

He said: "He was a perfect example of the level of soldiering excellence resonating from all the attached 'Dukes'.

"Bright, enthusiastic and keen to do the right thing no matter how daunting."

Lance Sergeant Steve Stuart, section commander of 1 Coldstream Guards, said: "Lance Corporal Graham Shaw was a loyal friend and throughout my years of having the pleasure of training, working and socialising with him I found him to have a great sense of humour.

"He loved his job and always conducted himself in a manner that demonstrated the utmost professionalism. An inspiration to all those around him, he will be greatly missed by his friends and both regiments; he devoted his life to the service of both."

Captain Chris Ibbotson, company second in command of 3 Yorks, said: "Lance Corporal Shaw was an extremely likeable and capable man, a figurehead for the men under his command."