Slain digger knew the risks, says family

SYDNEY, June 12 (AAP)- The parents and siblings of soldier Rowan Robinson, the 27th Australian soldier to die on duty in Afghanistan, say it will take time to adjust to the "terrible reality" he is gone.
The 23-year-old sapper was shot and killed during a raid on an enemy munitions dump in Afghanistan last week.
His Sydney-based family released a statement for the first time on Sunday, to remember their "beloved son and brother".
"We were so proud that he chose to serve his country," the statement reads.
"He took his work very seriously ... he knew the risk of his job and accepted it.
"It's harder for us to accept that he has been taken from us before his time, but we know he died protecting his mates and doing a job that he loved."
Parents Marie and Peter, sister Rachael and brothers Ben and Troy said Rowan's death had devastated them.
"We ask that the media respect our privacy in our time of mourning and adjustment to the terrible reality that Rowan is gone from our lives," they said.
They asked that in lieu of flowers, people donate to the Sapper Rowan Robinson Memorial Fund through the Commando Welfare Trust.
Colleagues will hold a ramp ceremony at Brisbane's RAAF Amberley on Monday to honour the return of his body.