ID :
185626
Tue, 05/31/2011 - 15:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/185626
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Families remember slain soldiers
SYDNEY (AAP) - An Australian soldier shot dead by an Afghan soldier has been remembered by his family as a dependable yet cheeky character who was totally dedicated to cooking.
The family of another Australian soldier, who was killed in a helicopter crash, remembered him as larger than life, fun-loving but gentle.
The deaths of the two soldiers on the same day, but in separate incidents, took the total number of Australians killed in Afghanistan to 26.
Lance Corporal Andrew Jones, 25, was an army cook and member of the 9th Force Support Battalion. While performing guard duty at a patrol base in the Chorah Valley, he was shot dead by a Afghan National Army solder in circumstances that have yet to be explained.
In a statement released by defence, members of his family described him as a dependable yet cheeky character "who we will miss with all our hearts".
"Andrew enjoyed his role in the army and was an excellent soldier. We are sure his mates will also miss him, his professionalism, but most of all his sense of humour," they said.
"His dedication to his role as a cook was second to none. He would always call on all his resources to provide the very best meals for his mates, including using his favourite family recipes."
Family members said Jones's mates within his unit admired him, not just for his great cooking, but for the great soldier and man he was.
"We would like to especially thank those that helped Andrew in his last hours. We know you did your best to save him and continue to face the big job ahead of you while also dealing with his death," they said.
Lieutenant Marcus Case, 27, a member of the 6th Aviation Regiment, was serving in Afghanistan as the operator of a Heron unmanned aerial vehicle.
He was killed when an Australian Chinook helicopter crashed in Zabul province, around 90 kilometres east of the Australian base at Tarin Kowt.
Family members said he was born to fly and spent a lifetime dedicated to achieving his goal of becoming an army combat aviator.
"Marcus was larger than life. He was a fun-loving but gentle and much-loved member of our family. Marcus was the youngest of six very close brothers and sisters who adored each other and spent as much time together as they could," the family statement said.
"Along the way, Marcus studied at Xavier College and was a brilliant rugby player, later representing Australia in New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and Canada."
He studied science at Melbourne University but deferred to join the army full-time, serving in East Timor as a commando.
"Marcus merged his love of flying into his extensive social life, taking those who would dare, for recreational joy-flights at Lilydale Aerodrome," the statement said.
"Marcus will be sorely missed by his loving and very proud family as well as his large group of supportive friends."
The family of another Australian soldier, who was killed in a helicopter crash, remembered him as larger than life, fun-loving but gentle.
The deaths of the two soldiers on the same day, but in separate incidents, took the total number of Australians killed in Afghanistan to 26.
Lance Corporal Andrew Jones, 25, was an army cook and member of the 9th Force Support Battalion. While performing guard duty at a patrol base in the Chorah Valley, he was shot dead by a Afghan National Army solder in circumstances that have yet to be explained.
In a statement released by defence, members of his family described him as a dependable yet cheeky character "who we will miss with all our hearts".
"Andrew enjoyed his role in the army and was an excellent soldier. We are sure his mates will also miss him, his professionalism, but most of all his sense of humour," they said.
"His dedication to his role as a cook was second to none. He would always call on all his resources to provide the very best meals for his mates, including using his favourite family recipes."
Family members said Jones's mates within his unit admired him, not just for his great cooking, but for the great soldier and man he was.
"We would like to especially thank those that helped Andrew in his last hours. We know you did your best to save him and continue to face the big job ahead of you while also dealing with his death," they said.
Lieutenant Marcus Case, 27, a member of the 6th Aviation Regiment, was serving in Afghanistan as the operator of a Heron unmanned aerial vehicle.
He was killed when an Australian Chinook helicopter crashed in Zabul province, around 90 kilometres east of the Australian base at Tarin Kowt.
Family members said he was born to fly and spent a lifetime dedicated to achieving his goal of becoming an army combat aviator.
"Marcus was larger than life. He was a fun-loving but gentle and much-loved member of our family. Marcus was the youngest of six very close brothers and sisters who adored each other and spent as much time together as they could," the family statement said.
"Along the way, Marcus studied at Xavier College and was a brilliant rugby player, later representing Australia in New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and Canada."
He studied science at Melbourne University but deferred to join the army full-time, serving in East Timor as a commando.
"Marcus merged his love of flying into his extensive social life, taking those who would dare, for recreational joy-flights at Lilydale Aerodrome," the statement said.
"Marcus will be sorely missed by his loving and very proud family as well as his large group of supportive friends."
