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Prince pays his tribute
PRINCE Harry has led tributes to a young Killamarsh soldier who was killed in action in Afghanistan this week.
Cpl Liam Riley, a member of the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, was serving as part of the Coldstream Guards Battle Group when he was killed by a roadside bomb while on foot patrol in the Babaji district of Helmand Province on Monday.
Prince Harry, who served with the 21-year-old at a military training unit in Canada in 2007, said that it had been a privilege to have worked alongside him.
"He was a legend," said the Prince.
"A really special man who got us all going and heading in the right direction."
Corporal Riley had been in Afghanistan just over a month after being deployed as a Battle Casualty Replacement.
Lt Col Tom Vallings, commanding officer 3 YORKS, said that Liam had been killed whilst returning fire to extract one of his team.
"He was a strapping soldier and at only 21-years-old had been identified as one of our stars of the future," he said.
"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."
Cpl Riley's family said in a statement released by the Ministry of Defence that he had been a "wonderful son" who had always wanted to join the Army.
"We were very proud of him and what he achieved both in life and in his Army career," they said.
"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."
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Weather for Eastwood
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to 0 C
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Light sleet showers
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