Comrades remember Huddersfield’s Lance Corporal Graham Shaw

Feb 4 2010 by Kevin Core, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A GREAT soldier and a great bloke.

The words today of Lance-Corporal Graham Shaw’s commanding officer, as he and others paid tribute to Huddersfield’s first fatality of the Afghanistan conflict.

All have praised his “Yorkshire fighting spirit”.

Lance-Cpl Shaw, 27, of Golcar, was killed the day after his birthday by an improvised explosive device while on foot patrol in Helmand on Monday.

He died alongside Corporal Liam Riley, 21, of Sheffield while serving with a battle group of the Coldstream Guards.

Both men were killed instantly in the two improvised explosive device blasts in the Babaji District of central Helmand province.

Lance-Cpl Shaw was leading a patrol and Cpl Riley was the number two.

Lieutenant Colonel Tom Vallings, Commanding Officer of 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment said: “Typically, Lance-Corporal Graham Shaw was at the front of the patrol when he was tragically killed by an IED in Helmand.

“He was 27 years old, totally selfless, an excellent soldier and the best of fun.

“He had that knack of being able to balance both work and play to ensure he got the very best out of all that he tackled.

“He was from Huddersfield and he had that Yorkshire fighting spirit in abundance. You would want him on your team whatever the task.

“Lance-Corporal Shaw was at his best on operations where he thrived under the added pressure and difficult conditions.

“He would brighten your day with his sense of humour and determination to get the job done.