https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1712740

Official commemoration annually

Details on timings etc closer to the date

2011 died in a car accident in East Timor

Australian Soldier dies in East Timor motor vehicle accident

An Australian member of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), Craftsman Beau Pridue, has died from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident near the town of Baucau in East Timor, early this morning (15 September, 2011).

A second Australian ISF member was injured in the accident and, following Aero Medical Evacuation, is being treated at an ISF-contracted medical facility in Dili.

The soldiers were travelling in an ISF Unimog vehicle when the accident occurred.

An Aero Medical Team was dispatched to the scene via helicopter and the medical officer confirmed the soldier had died in the accident.

The Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley expressed his deepest sympathies.

“Our thoughts are with CFN Pridue’s family and the members of his Battalion who are feeling his loss” General Hurley said.

The Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Power said this incident highlighted the dangers faced by ADF personnel wherever they were deployed.

“This morning’s tragic accident has taken the life of another young man serving his nation,” Lieutenant General Power said.

“Our focus at the moment is on supporting CFN Pridue’s family and his injured mate, as well as the wider ISF and Army communities as they deal with this loss.”

The second soldier has minor injuries and his prognosis for recovery is good.

Both soldiers involved in the accident were Army Reservists normally posted to the 8th Combat Services Support Battalion in NSW.

Private Gregory Michael Sher and Karen.
Mid Caption;
Private Gregory Michael Sher was killed in a rocket attack in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, early last Sunday evening Australian time.
Private Sher was a member of the Sydney-based 1st Commando Regiment and at the time of the attack was with a Special Operations Task Group element that had deployed from Tarin Kowt to a provincial patrol base.
Private Sher was 30 years old and leaves behind his parents, two brothers and his partner, who are currently receiving support from Defence.
Private Sher was born in South Africa in 1978 and moved to Australia with his family in 1986. He joined the Army in 1998 as an Army Reserve infantryman and deployed to East Timor in 2002. In 2004 he completed the commando selection course and joined the 1st Commando Regiment, going on to complete the suite of Special Forces courses required to become a qualified commando.
For his service in East Timor, Private Sher received the Australian Active Service Medal, the United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor Medal and the Infantry Combat Badge. Private Sher has also been awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal with ISAF Clasp, the Australian Defence Medal and the Returned from Active Service Badge.

https://www.defence.gov.au/vale/PteSher/default.asp

Today we pause to remember the life and service of Captain Peter James McCarthy, of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport, who was killed in action whilst serving on peacekeeping operations in Lebanon on the 12th of January 1988.

Originally an Army Reservist, Peter completed his training in Devonport, Tasmania before transferring to the ARA.

He was one of 13 Australians serving in the Middle East with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) at the time of his death. As part of his role in UNTSO, he was detached to an observation group monitoring the military zone in Southern Lebanon.

Peter was tragically killed on the 12th of January 1988 when his jeep struck a landmine during a routine patrol. He was the first Australian to be killed whilst attached to a UN operation.

Lest we forget.

National Servicemen’s Day, a day where we honour those who have served our nation through compulsory military service.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said it is important to remember these men who put their lives on the line in the service of our country in times of significant need.

“Our nation has seen four periods of compulsory military service, with the most recent two schemes between 1951–1959 and 1964–1972,” Mr Chester said.

“The last scheme was introduced at a time of heightened regional tension with Australia’s ongoing involvement in the Vietnam War and the Government took this significant step to increase the size of Australia’s military.

“This was not full-scale conscription, rather National Servicemen or ‘Nashos’ were chosen from men of 20 years of age using a ballot system held twice a year.

“If your birthday was drawn from the ballot and you met certain security and fitness criteria you could be selected to serve two years in the Army followed by three years in the Army Reserve. In August 1971 the two-year term was reduced to 18 months. ”

From 1964–1972 more than 804,000 men registered for national service, with more than 60,000 called up to serve. Of these, more than 15,000 served in the Vietnam War, where some 200 were killed and more than 1,200 wounded.

“On Tuesday 18 February, Australia will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Operation Hammersley, one of our significant operations in the Vietnam War. This will be an opportunity to remember all those who served in the Operation, including our Nashos,” Mr Chester said.

“I encourage all Australians to take time out to reflect on the unique nature of the service and sacrifice of these men and ensure they are always remembered.”

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Originally from Aveley, Western Australia, Jamie enlisted in the ARA and was subsequently posted to 3RAR.

He deployed with the Battalion to East Timor as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

Jamie was tragically killed after falling into a 15m sinkhole whilst on patrol on Mount Austin, east of the capital Honiara.

Lest we forget.

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