Defence News
Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan
10 July 2010
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One Australian soldier has been killed and another wounded following an Improvised Explosive Device attack in Afghanistan's Chora Valley region.
Private Nathan Bewes was 23 years old and leaves behind his loving parents, sister and partner, who are currently receiving support from Private Bewes’ unit 6RAR, and from the Defence Community Organisation.
Private Bewes’ family has released a statement paying tribute to a man who “just loved to look after people”.
“When he was on leave from Afghanistan in June all he could talk about was getting back to the deployment and his mates.”
His partner Alice Walsh also released a written statement:
“Nate was my best friend, my soul mate, the one I knew I’d be with for the rest of my life. He was an excellent soldier who was willing to put his life in danger along with his mates from Team 3 for the people of Australia. I will miss my Bewesy for the rest of my life,” she said.
Ms Walsh also called on Australians to take a moment to remember the sacrifice of soldiers and their families.
“Take one minute out of your day to pray or wish upon a star for a soldier so that they may all come back home safely one day to his/her family.”
The pair was on a dismounted patrol when the blast occurred with one soldier immediately evacuated by International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) helicopter to the ISAF Role Two Hospital at Multi-National Base Tarin Kowt. Private Bewes was declared deceased on arrival.
The other soldier received initial medical treatment at a nearby Patrol Base. His wounds are non life threatening and he has since been evacuated to the ISAF Role Two medical facility at Multi-National Base Tarin Kowt.
The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, said the loss would be deeply felt by the soldier’s family, his unit, the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.
"To this soldier’s family, I offer my heartfelt sympathies and promise the full support of the Australian Defence Force in the hard days and weeks ahead," he said.
"This soldier's family can be very proud of their loved one. He was a very experienced and professional soldier, who was on his third operational tour in his five years with the Army.
"He fought for our nation and our beliefs and demonstrated daily the core Army values of courage, initiative and teamwork.
"This incident is a sad reminder of the dangers faced by our soldiers in Afghanistan on a daily basis.
The threat posed by improvised explosive devices is ever present.
"On the day that we farewell Private Scott Palmer, this latest fatality further deepens the feeling of loss on this already very sad day."
Defence Minister John Faulkner offered his deepest condolences to the soldier's family on behalf of the Australian Government and the nation.
"I express our sincere gratitude to the sacrifice made by this soldier and all those who have gone before him," he said.
"I assure you that the commitment, dedication and sacrifice of this soldier will not be forgotten.
"Australia has now lost 17 of our finest soldiers in Afghanistan and I think all our thoughts today should be with the entire Australian Defence Force family and particularly the Australian Army, which has lost six of its soldiers in a little over a month.
"Our thoughts of course are also with the soldier wounded in this incident and his family, we wish him a speedy recovery."
Forty-three Australians have been wounded this year, 25 of those soldiers were members of the 1st Mentoring Task Force.