Liam Riley

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Soldier | Died in 2010

Killed by a bomb blast in Afghanistan

Corporal Liam Riley was one of two soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment killed by two roadside bombs in Afghanistan on February 1, 2010.

The men were serving as part of the 1 Coldstream Guards Battle Group.

Prince Harry was among the first to pay tribute to the 21-year-old, who was born in Sheffield.

They had served together at a military training unit in Canada in 2007.

The Prince described him as a "legend" and said it had been a "privilege" to work alongside Cpl Riley at the training unit in Canada.

"He was a legend," he said. "A really special man who got us all going and heading in the right direction.

"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."

Cpl Riley's family said: "Liam was a wonderful son who always wanted to join the Army from being very young. He loved Army-style stories as a little boy.

"When he was old enough to join he took to Army life like a duck to water.

"He was very conscientious with his Army work and didn’t want to disappoint anyone. We were very proud of him and what he achieved both in life and in his Army career.

"Liam liked sport and tried many different types – long enough to join or get the kit – but none lasted as long as football.

"This was his love and when he was at home he played for both Beighton Magpies and the Throstles and was a keen Sheffield Wednesday supporter even when he was away in Afghanistan.

"One of the things he asked when he rang home was how "Wednesday" were doing.

"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."

Lieutenant Colonel Tom Vallings, Commanding Officer for 3 YORKS said: "Corporal Liam Riley volunteered at short notice to serve in Afghanistan such was his eagerness to do his duty.

"He was a strapping soldier from Sheffield and at only 21 years old had been identified as one of our stars of the future.

"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.

"He was killed today by an IED in Helmand, 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.

"Whilst we take great strength from Corporal Liam Riley's distinctive courage and example, his loss has hit us hard in 3 YORKS.

"Our thoughts and prayers are not only with his fellow soldiers who continue to rise to the challenges of Helmand, but also with his family and friends whose loss is immeasurable."

The deaths of Cpl Riley and L/Cpl Shaw brought the number of British military deaths since the Afghan campaign started in 2001 to 253.

Your Memories

In the short period Corporal Riley served with the Coldstream Battle Group, there had been only the highest of praise for this exceptionally talented and promising JNCO.
He had the brightest of futures ahead of him. A volunteer augmentee, he was operating in the most demanding of environments in the role of patrol 2iC, a position he held with evident pride.
With a natural charm and easy going nature, he and his 3 YORKS comrades fitted into the Battle Group with ease, forming a potent and effective fighting team.
Leading from the front, his diligence, professionalism and unfaltering courage have been an example to us all.
Whilst we may not have shared the same cap badge, as fellow infantrymen we have an unbreakably close bond.
We therefore share the same deep pain of loss right across the whole Battle Group.
We offer our most heartfelt sympathies to his family at this desperately tragic time.
-- Lieutenant Colonel Toby Gray Lasting Tribute — 03.02.2010
I was privileged to know Corporal Riley only for a short while, but from the moment he arrived at the beginning of January to join the Battle Group he stood out.
He was enormously professional and quickly established himself amongst the company – we all knew him within a few days. He was one of us and will not be forgotten by the Coldstreamers here.
My sympathies are with his family at this most painful of times.
-- Major Charlie Foinette Lasting Tribute — 03.02.2010
Corporal Riley was outstanding during our pre-deployment training prior to his deployment as a Battle Casualty Replacement in late December last year.
He was delighted to deploy with a 3 YORKS multiple that was attached to the Coldstream Guards.
Corporal Riley was one of the best soldiers I have ever met, who clearly had a bright future ahead of him.
At only 21 years old he had recently passed the section commanders’ battle course and had just promoted to Corporal.
As a thoroughly professional soldier he eagerly awaited an opportunity to deploy on operations and immediately grasped the chance when it arose.
Since his deployment he has thrived on operations in Babaji, able to quickly understand the complexities of the local environs.
He was comfortable in command and showed excellent leadership when under pressure.
Terrier-like in his approach to his work, he was professional through and through and always led by example.
He was a very popular member of the company, who was never far from the centre of platoon repartee; a young leader who achieved much in a short space of time.
-- Major Nick McKenzie Lasting Tribute — 03.02.2010
Corporal Liam Riley

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