Funeral for teenage Doncaster soldier who never met son

Rifleman Liam Maughan's death was described as a "devastating blow"

Hundreds of people turned out to pay their respects to a young soldier from Doncaster who was killed in Afghanistan without ever meeting his baby son.

Rifleman Liam Maughan, 18, from 3 Rifles, was shot while on watch in Sangin, Helmand province, on 6 March.

He had become a father to his son Jayden, just weeks before his death.

At his funeral at St Lawrence Church in Doncaster, his father David said: "We have been robbed of ever knowing Liam the man and Liam the father."

Crowds lined the streets around the church as the soldier's coffin, which included a white floral tribute, that spelled out Dad, was carried in.

'Beautiful boy'

Many mourners in the small village, where a handful of shops had covered their doors with Union flags and black ribbons, remained outside and listened to the service through loud speakers.

In a eulogy, Mr Maughan said Liam as a child was an "easy baby" who was always "happy, smiling and relaxed" and these qualities transcended into adult life.

"I was constantly approached by women fussing over him and telling us what a beautiful little boy he was and how he would break hearts one day.

Maj Chris Willis said Rifleman Maughan was a young man "full of potential"

"Liam continued to receive this type of comment throughout his life but we never imagined in our darkest nightmares just how that heartbreak would manifest itself."

He said his son had managed throughout his life to get into "scrapes" but get away with it.

"He did not see danger, serious was not in his vocabulary, he took everything in his stride and nothing fazed him."

He added: "I thought, I hoped, it would be this knack of his for getting away with it that would keep him safe in Afghanistan.

"I thought he was indestructible, and that he would return as unaffected and unimpressed as he was with most things."

Rifleman Maughan was providing protection to his platoon when he died.

Major Chris Willis, Officer Commanding 3rd Battalion Rifles Rear Operations, described Rifleman Maughan as a "young man full of potential".

Lieutenant Tom Vila, Officer Commanding 5 Platoon B Company 3 Rifles Battle Group, said he was "the bravest of the brave, swift and bold".