Image Gallery: November 2007
Fitting farewell for Sergeant Matthew Locke
02 November 2007
Carried by gun carriage and escorted by his mates, Sergeant Matthew Locke was farewelled by his family, the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) and dignitaries in a solemn ceremony at the Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth.
The enormous gathering filled the small chapel and the cemetery's gardens and Sergeant Locke was described by Major General Mike Hindmarsh, Commander of Australian Special Forces, as an outstanding soldier and a hero.
The service celebrated the life of Sergeant Locke, a recipient of the Medal for Gallantry.
Among those who paid their respects were His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffrey AC CVO MC, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Hon John Howard MP, Prime Minister of Australia, Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston AO DSC CSM, the Chief of Army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy AC, and Commander of Australian Special Forces, Major General Mike Hindmarsh, the Hon Bruce Billson, Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, and Mr Joel Fitzgibbon, Shadow Minister for Defence.
Sergeant Locke was on patrol when fatally wounded by small arms fire from Taliban extremists.
Sergeant Locke was involved in Operation SPIN GHAR, which directly supported an ISAF and Afghan National Security Forces operation to target and clear Taliban extremists from the area around Tarin Kowt, in Oruzgan province.
Defence extends its sympathies to Sergeant Locke’s family and continues to provide support to them during this difficult time.
VALE: Sergeant Matthew Locke
| 20071102adf8239716_012 The coffin of Sergeant Matthew Locke is carried by members of the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). (Date taken: 02 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071102adf8239716_043 Australian entertainer John Williamson sings 'True Blue' as a tribute to the service and dedication of Special Air Service Regiment soldier, Sergeant Matthew Locke. (Date taken: 02 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071102adf8239716_055 Australian entertainer John Williamson sings 'True Blue' as a tribute to the service and dedication of Special Air Service Regiment soldier, Sergeant Matthew Locke. (Date taken: 02 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071102adf8239716_057 The funeral service for Sergeant Matthew Locke at Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth. (Date taken: 02 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071102adf8239716_059 The funeral of Sergeant Matthew Locke at Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth. (Date taken: 02 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071102adf8239716_067 Members of the SASR carry Sergeant Matthew Locke's coffin into the chapel. (Date taken: 02 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071102adf8239716_071 The coffin of Sergeant Matthew Locke is carried by members of the SASR. (Date taken: 02 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071102adf8239716_083 The coffin of Sergeant Matthew Locke is carried by gun carriage during his funeral service and escorted by his mates from the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) to the chapel at the Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth. (Date taken: 02 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071102adf8239716_086 The coffin of Sergeant Matthew Locke is carried by gun carriage during his funeral service and escorted by his mates from the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) to the chapel at the Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth. (Date taken: 02 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071102adf8239716_099 The funeral service for Sergeant Matthew Locke. (Date taken: 02 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071102adf8239716_105 The funeral service for Sergeant Matthew Locke. (Date taken: 02 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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