Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan

news.com.au ^ | 19th July 2009

[naturalman1975]

AN Australian soldier has been killed in Afghanistan by an explosive device. The incident took place during an operation "against a compound of interest" in the Baluchi Valley, Chief of Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston told a press conference in Canberra this morning.

Defence could not release personal details of the dead soldier at this stage, but the family had been contacted, he said.

The soldier was on his first deployment to Afghanistan but had previously served in East Timor.

Air Chief Marshal Houston described him as a "brave and dedicated" soldier who was "operationally experienced and highly skilled".

"He was a very professional soldier who served enthusiastically and with distinction.

"He died ensuring that terrorist groups do not have Afghanistan as a base from which they can plan and mount attacks."

[naturalman1975]

If there's a trip one way, he said,
Into battle grim for me,
Don't let them say when I am dead:
He died to save democracy;
Nor let them say: He fought to free
Enslaved nations, white or brown;
Just print these simple words for me:

He would not let his cobbers down.

[DieHard the Hunter]

Thankyou for your service, cobber.

They shall not grow old
As we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary, nor they years contemn;
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We shall remember them.