Our People in QLD
Anthony Bourn - Flying the flag for his daughter
Townsville soldier PTE Anthony Bourn will be marking his daughter Trinity Rebecca’s first birthday in a special fashion. He’ll be flying an Aussie Flag over the Australian Contingent Compound in the Middle East, known as Billabong Flats, and giving it her when she has grown up.
The cargo specialist is normally based with 10 Force Support Battalion (10FSB) but these days he is part of Force Support Unit 2 (FSU2), which is the reception, staging and movements point for Australian troops moving into and of the Middle East Area of Operations.
“We’ve all purchased Australian flags here at the FSU and the day I’ve chosen to fly mine is the 19th of October, that’s her birthday,” Pte Bourn said.
“I’ll take it home and frame it and give it to her one day, maybe when she’s 18, and say I flew this on your first birthday baby girl over in the MEAO.”
PTE Bourn, 26, is Townsville born and bred. He attended Weir State Primary School and Kerwin State High School and, before joining the Australian Regular Army in September 2007, he worked at several places in his home city, including Townsville City Council, Townsville State High School and BWS.
“Dad was a serviceman as well so he was always a motivating factor, because he told me how good it was and all the things you could do, so I thought, yeah, I’ll go for it, so I got in shape and joined the Army,” PTE Bourn said.
Just two years into his military career, PTE Bourn is overseas and providing vital support to the troops, ensuring they’re well equipped and acclimatised for their deployment.
“The days are long and you work hard, but at the end of the day you feel that you’ve made a difference and that’s really good, it’s really satisfying.”
Australia's military contribution to Afghanistan is part of the nation’s broader commitment to Coalition efforts against international terrorism, countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and maritime security.
The Australian deployment, comprising around 1550 personnel in Afghanistan and a further 850 across the Middle East, is know as Operations SLIPPER.