A close friend of Prince Harry is one of two more British soldiers to be killed in Afghanistan.
The third-in-line to the throne trained with Corporal Liam Riley, 21, during a military exercise in Canada two and a half years ago where the pair posed for a photo together.
Prince Harry, who is in the British Army, served in Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008, and fought alongside Cpl Riley.
Last night the prince paid tribute to his friend: '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.'
Cpl Riley died alongside Lance Corporal Graham Shaw, 27, near Malgir on Monday.
The British death toll in Afghanistan since operations started in 2001 now stands at 253, just two short of the 255 who died in the Falklands War in 1982 (though those who died in the Falklands died in a period of just two months).
Prince Harry was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry Regiment and completed his training as a tank commander. He served for 77 days on the Afghan frontline, but would have been there longer if an American website hadn't caused outrage by revealing his presence.
Lieutenant Colonel Tom Vallings, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, paid tribute to L/Cpl Shaw. He said: 'He had that Yorkshire fighting spirit in abundance. You would want him on your team whatever the task. A great soldier and a great bloke who served his country and his friends, making Afghanistan a better place.'
Prince Harry's close friend is one of two soldiers to be killed by Taliban in Afghanistan
By Ian Drury and Colin Fernandez
03rd February 2010
Daily Mail
Prince Harry is mourning the death of a friend killed while serving with the British Army in Afghanistan.
The third-in-line to the throne trained with Corporal Liam Riley, 21, during a military exercise in Canada two and a half years ago.
The pair had a photograph taken together during the operation as a memento of their friendship.
Fallen hero: Corporal Liam Riley and Prince Harry did military training together in Canada nearly two and a half years ago
Last night the prince paid tribute to Corporal Riley, describing him as 'a legend' and declaring it a privilege to have worked with him.
The Prince's old comrade was one of two British soldiers killed in a suspected 'daisy chain' bomb trap laid by Taliban fighters in Helmand.
It is thought he was going to the aid of a comrade hit by a first bomb when he was killed by a second blast.
Cpl Riley died alongside Lance Corporal Graham Shaw, 27, near Malgir on Monday.
Their deaths take British fatalities in Afghanistan to 253 - just two fewer than the 255 who died during the Falklands War in 1982.
Sacrifice: Corporal Liam Riley has been killed while on foot patrol near Malgir, Helmand Province
Last night Prince Harry, 25, paid tribute to both men. 'I remember Liam Riley so well from the time we spent serving together at the British Army Training Unit at Suffield in Canada,' he said.
'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.'
Killed: Lance Corporal Graham Shaw, 27, who died alongside Corporal Riley
Prince Harry spent nearly three months on the frontline in Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008.
A senior royal source said: 'It is terribly, terribly sad. They were on the course together in Canada for around ten weeks.
'It was very intense and all of those who took part bonded very quickly and became exceptionally close. Harry was absolutely gutted to hear the news.
'He could not have spoken of Liam more highly and feels incredibly sad for his family. I am sure he will be in touch with his family in due course.'
Corporal Riley, from Sheffield, and Lance Corporal Shaw, from Huddersfield, were members of the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, serving as part of the 1 Coldstream Guards Battle Group.
Lieutenant Colonel Tom Vallings, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, paid tribute to Corporal Riley.
'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 said.
'He was killed by an IED 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.'
He described Lance Corporal Shaw as 'totally selfless'. He added: 'He had that Yorkshire fighting spirit in abundance. You would want him on your team whatever the task. A great soldier and a great bloke who served his country and his friends, making Afghanistan a better place.'
dailymail.co.uk
The third-in-line to the throne trained with Corporal Liam Riley, 21, during a military exercise in Canada two and a half years ago where the pair posed for a photo together.
Prince Harry, who is in the British Army, served in Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008, and fought alongside Cpl Riley.
Last night the prince paid tribute to his friend: '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.'
Cpl Riley died alongside Lance Corporal Graham Shaw, 27, near Malgir on Monday.
The British death toll in Afghanistan since operations started in 2001 now stands at 253, just two short of the 255 who died in the Falklands War in 1982 (though those who died in the Falklands died in a period of just two months).
Prince Harry was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry Regiment and completed his training as a tank commander. He served for 77 days on the Afghan frontline, but would have been there longer if an American website hadn't caused outrage by revealing his presence.
Lieutenant Colonel Tom Vallings, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, paid tribute to L/Cpl Shaw. He said: 'He had that Yorkshire fighting spirit in abundance. You would want him on your team whatever the task. A great soldier and a great bloke who served his country and his friends, making Afghanistan a better place.'
Prince Harry's close friend is one of two soldiers to be killed by Taliban in Afghanistan
By Ian Drury and Colin Fernandez
03rd February 2010
Daily Mail
Prince Harry is mourning the death of a friend killed while serving with the British Army in Afghanistan.
The third-in-line to the throne trained with Corporal Liam Riley, 21, during a military exercise in Canada two and a half years ago.
The pair had a photograph taken together during the operation as a memento of their friendship.
Fallen hero: Corporal Liam Riley and Prince Harry did military training together in Canada nearly two and a half years ago
Last night the prince paid tribute to Corporal Riley, describing him as 'a legend' and declaring it a privilege to have worked with him.
The Prince's old comrade was one of two British soldiers killed in a suspected 'daisy chain' bomb trap laid by Taliban fighters in Helmand.
It is thought he was going to the aid of a comrade hit by a first bomb when he was killed by a second blast.
Cpl Riley died alongside Lance Corporal Graham Shaw, 27, near Malgir on Monday.
Their deaths take British fatalities in Afghanistan to 253 - just two fewer than the 255 who died during the Falklands War in 1982.
Sacrifice: Corporal Liam Riley has been killed while on foot patrol near Malgir, Helmand Province
Last night Prince Harry, 25, paid tribute to both men. 'I remember Liam Riley so well from the time we spent serving together at the British Army Training Unit at Suffield in Canada,' he said.
'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.'
Killed: Lance Corporal Graham Shaw, 27, who died alongside Corporal Riley
Prince Harry spent nearly three months on the frontline in Afghanistan in 2007 and 2008.
A senior royal source said: 'It is terribly, terribly sad. They were on the course together in Canada for around ten weeks.
'It was very intense and all of those who took part bonded very quickly and became exceptionally close. Harry was absolutely gutted to hear the news.
'He could not have spoken of Liam more highly and feels incredibly sad for his family. I am sure he will be in touch with his family in due course.'
Corporal Riley, from Sheffield, and Lance Corporal Shaw, from Huddersfield, were members of the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, serving as part of the 1 Coldstream Guards Battle Group.
Lieutenant Colonel Tom Vallings, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, paid tribute to Corporal Riley.
'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 said.
'He was killed by an IED 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.'
He described Lance Corporal Shaw as 'totally selfless'. He added: 'He had that Yorkshire fighting spirit in abundance. You would want him on your team whatever the task. A great soldier and a great bloke who served his country and his friends, making Afghanistan a better place.'
dailymail.co.uk
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