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Tributes to 'the bravest of the brave'
GLOWING tributes have been paid to a teenage South Yorkshire soldier described as fearless and inspiring by his commander and known as a "lovely lad" in his hometown.
Rifleman Liam Maughan, of Hatfield, Doncaster, was killed in a firefight against insurgents while on watch for his platoon in Afghanistan.
Read more tributes to Liam and leave your own message in our book of condolence, click here
He was a member of Third Battalion The Rifles, whose members have been stationed in the notorious Sangin area of Helmand since September and are due to return home within weeks.
The 18-year-old's devastated family and fiance Michaela Lindley, the mother of his baby son Jaden, are still too upset to talk.
But Liam's platoon commander Lieutenant Tom Vila, in charge of 5 Platoon, B Company 3 Rifles, said the young soldier, who joined the Army in December 2008 and completed basic training a year ago, had "unflappable composure".
He said: "Thrown into the most extreme situations on operations after only five months with the Battalion, he oozed contagious serenity indicative of one far more experienced.
"He always be-calmed his fellow soldiers. His ability to shoot straight was quickly picked out - such that he was chosen to be the Platoon's sharpshooter.
"In this role he exemplified everything that was best in a thinking rifleman, selecting his own targets and timelessly hunting down a fleeting enemy through his scope, this man required little leadership."
Lt Vila added: "I was lucky enough to 'chew the fat' with Rifleman Maughan over a brew the day before he died. He was telling me about his new-born son Jaden, of whom he had not yet even seen a photo.
"He had a look in his eye that said that he was a man that any son would want for a father. That he himself was barely out of childhood mattered not a bit.
"This quality was inspiring but unsurprising as time and again in Afghanistan he put the needs of others before his own. Ultimately he placed himself in the line of fire, giving his own life for those of his comrades.
"Intelligent, naturally fit, fearless and sickeningly handsome, Rifleman Liam Maughan has been robbed of the opportunity to make the most of his endless talents, and only eight months after his 18th birthday. This is a tragedy with no comparison. His brothers in arms will bear his loss, not lightly, forever.
"This has been a dark day for 5 Platoon but our thoughts are firmly with his girlfriend Michaela, son Jaden and his parents Andrea and David.
"The bravest of the brave, swift and bold."
Lt Vila added: "His boy band good looks led the rest of the lads to nick name him 'Princess', on the battlefield he was anything but. He thrived on soldiering and was proud to be a Rifleman."
Liam's Company Serjeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 2 Paul Kelly, from Barnsley, added: "Rifleman Maughan was confident, professional, diligent with a great sense of humour. He stood tall not only in height, but in stature amongst the Riflemen in his platoon.
"He had specialist training as a sharpshooter and took the responsibility
of this task in his stride. He was an ambitious young man who wanted the responsibility of command which in time he would have achieved.
"We have lost a bright star of the future to the insurgents but we as a company will be strong together as he would have wanted and will continue with the courageous work that he and his Platoon have achieved so far this tour.
"His loss has hit every one very hard but we will be thinking of his family who have lost a proud loving son. Our thoughts go to his family at this devastating time."
Further messages have already been posted by more than half of the members of Liam's entire platoon on website Lasting Tribute.
Liam was a pupil at Hatfield Visual Arts College until 2007 when he decided not to pursue sixth form studies. His younger brother, Callum, aged 12, is still a pupil at the school but will be staying at home this week.
Headteacher David Williams said: "I taught Liam in design technology and engineering and knew him well. He liked hands-on subjects and was good at IT.
"He was a good student, well-liked, respected and very much one of the
lads. He was very sociable and always willing to help.
"He will be sadly missed, although his year group has now left the school there are still some younger people who knew him well.
"The school was very saddened and upset to hear the news. Quite a few of our former pupils have joined the Army and whenever you hear of a death in Afghanistan you always hope it is not one of ours. But we are all very proud of Liam and that he joined up and was serving his country.
"We will be having our own tribute but I need to liaise with Liam's mum and dad before we decide what it will be. Already quite a few pupils have offered contributions for a collection for Liam's family."
Laura Williams, 19, who was in the same year as Liam at the school, said: "He seemed a really lovely lad who got on with everybody and had a big group of friends. Eighteen is no age to die and he has a little boy - it's heartbreaking."
Ronnie Storer, of nearby Stainforth, said: "I can remember taking Liam fishing because he was a friend of my son Luke, who is 19. It's just sickening that he should be killed when so young."
But Drummond Widow, 84, of Hatfield, who was aged 17 when he took part in the D-Day Normandy landings in 1944, as a Royal Navy Commando, said: "When you are on the battlefield, I don't think age comes into it. I did what I was trained to do and I would imagine he would have been the same - you just take situations in your stride."
Gill Belbin, a relative of Liam's fiancee, said: "I did not know Liam but am related to his fiance in my family tree. My mum is her grandmother's sister and when mum rang me to tell me about this tragedy, she was in tears.
"Up until now, I heard of sad events like this on the news. Now it has been made real to me due to Liam's death. He was a very young, very brave man. I send my condolences to his family and friends."
Liam was one of four soldiers from the 3 Rifles battlegroup to be killed in Sangin within the last week. His body is due to be repatriated on Thursday but funeral arrangements have not yet been decided.
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