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South Yorkshire soldier killed in Afghanistan
AN ARMY sharpshooter from South Yorkshire has been shot dead in a firefight with insurgents in Afghanistan - leaving a new-born son he never met.
Rifleman Liam Maughan, aged 18, from Doncaster, was described by his family as "a tall, handsome six-footer, with looks to melt the heart of any girl and make men envious".
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Rifleman Maughan, a member of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, died near Sangin in Helmand province on Saturday while on watch as his platoon were on patrol.
He leaves behind his parents, girlfriend and the new-born son he never met.
In a statement, his family said: "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: "Our thoughts and prayers are very much with Rifleman Maughan's infant son, as they are with the rest of his family, and we hope that he may grow up to understand just how great a sacrifice his father made in the service of his country.
"We pray also that both family and loved ones may find comfort in the memory of such a selfless, courageous and dedicated Rifleman. We shall carry on his good work undaunted as he would wish."
Rfn Maughan, an Army sharpshooter, was shot dead in a firefight with insurgents.
Friends said Rfn Maughan would be remembered as a "top bloke" who was always up for a joke, even if it was at his own expense.
Given the nickname "Princess" because of his good looks, members of his platoon said he would be sorely missed.
Rfn Jean De Clerk said: "He was always in high spirits because of his job as platoon sharpshooter and I am confident he would have been a fine sniper, which was his aspiration.
"I truly count him as a friend, my heart breaks for his girlfriend and his son which he was so excited to see for the first time, but he never will."
The tragedy comes just over a month after Corporal Liam Riley, from Sheffield, died in a roadside blast while on foot patrol in Helmand.
Two other soldiers have also died in separate incidents.
Rifleman Jonathon Allott, 19, from Bournemouth, also of 3rd Battalion The
Rifles, died in an bomb blast whilst on a mission to set up a new patrol base and a fighter from A Company 4 Rifles, was shot yesterday when his patrol base came under attack from insurgents.
Their deaths bring the number of British military casualties in Afghanistan since the conflict began in 2001 to 271.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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