Fallen Commando returns home

Corporal Cameron Baird, MG, returned home to his family and mates today at a moving ceremony at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Richmond in Sydney. 

Members of Corporal Baird’s unit, the 2nd Commando Regiment, met the RAAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft, forming an honour guard and bearer party to escort Corporal Baird’s casket to his waiting family. 

Corporal Baird was received by his family, members of the 2nd Commando Regiment, Chief of the Defence Force General David Hurley, AC, DSC, Chief of Army Lieutenant General David Morrison, AO, and Special Operations Commander Australia Major General ‘Gus’ Gilmore, AO, DSC. 

Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison said the impact of Corporal Baird’s death was felt across the Army. 

“Corporal Baird was a courageous soldier and a first-rate leader,” Lieutenant General Morrison said. 

“His death is a tragedy for his family and is deeply felt by the extended Army family. 

“We receive Corporal Baird home today and in doing so recognise his contribution and his sacrifice in the service of our nation." 

“I extend my sincerest condolences to Corporal Baird's family, mates and fellow soldiers.” 

Special Operations Commander Australia, Major General ‘Gus’ Gilmore spoke of Corporal Baird as an inspiration to his fellow soldiers. 

“Corporal Baird never took a backwards step; he was an experienced, combat-hardened soldier, who led from the front, getting the best out of those who worked alongside him,” Major General Gilmore said.

“Cam’s fellow commandos will always be inspired by his bravery, his achievements, and by the operational leader he was.”

Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird, MG, from the 2nd Commando Regiment based at Sydney’s Holsworthy Barracks, was killed by small arms fire on Saturday, 22 June 2013, during an engagement with insurgents in the Khod Valley in southern Afghanistan. Corporal Baird was serving with the Australian Special Operations Task Group when he was killed. 

Personal details of Corporal Cameron Baird, MG are available at: http://www.defence.gov.au/vale/cpl_baird/cpl_baird.htm 

Media note:

Imagery will be available later this evening at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20130540 

Media contact:

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999