Image Gallery: October 2008
10 October 2008
Private David Fisher Repatriation to Australia
The remains of Private David Fisher were formally welcomed home today in a reception ceremony attended by his family and former comrades from Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), 39 years after he was lost on operations in Vietnam.
Private Fisher was lost on 27 September 1969 when he fell approximately 200 feet (60 metres) into thick jungle during a suspended rope 'hot extraction' of a SASR patrol.
Despite an immediate air search by the aircraft involved, followed by a light helicopter search and subsequent ground patrols from the SASR, led by the Squadron Commander and two Infantry rifle companies over a further 10-day period, no trace of Private Fisher was found.
The ceremony was attended by official dignitaries who travelled with the family to Hanoi, including the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon Warren Snowdon MP, and Special Operations Commander Major General Timothy McOwan.
Four Australian Army personnel were lost on operations and not recovered during the Vietnam War. Private Fisher is the fourth and last to be repatriated. Lance Corporal Richard Parker and Private Peter Gillson were repatriated to Australia in June 2007 and Lance Corporal Gillespie in December 2007.
| 20081010adf8114832_036 The Honourable Warren Snowdon MP, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, makes his address to Private David Fisher's family, friends, veterans and Australian Defence Force members during his repatriation 'Ramp Ceremony', held at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond. (Date taken: 10 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081010adf8114832_051 Major General Timothy McOwan, DSC, CSM, Special Operations Commander Australia, makes his address to Private David Fisher's family, friends, veterans and Australian Defence Force members during a repatriation 'Ramp Ceremony', at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond. (Date taken: 10 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081010adf8114832_063 Private David Fisher's mates from 2 Squadron Special Air Service Regiment stand for the playing of the Last Post, during a repatriation 'Ramp Ceremony' held at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond. (Date taken: 10 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081009adf8208022_065 (From left) The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon Warren Snowdon MP; Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, AO, DSC, CSM, Chief of Army; Major General Timothy McOwan, DSC, CSM, Special Operations Commander Australia; and The Hon Dr Mike Kelly MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support attend the repatriation 'Ramp Ceremony', for Private David Fisher at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond. (Date taken: 10 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081010adf8114832_082 A piper leads the hearse from the tarmac after a repatriation 'Ramp Ceremony', for Private David Fisher held at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond. (Date taken: 10 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081010adf8114832_096 The Bearer Party, made up of members of the Special Air Service Regiment, place Private David Fisher's casket into a Hearse, following a repatriation 'Ramp Ceremony', held at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond. (Date taken: 10 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081010adf8114832_099 The bearer party, made up of members of the Special Air Service Regiment, place Private David Fisher's casket into the hearse. This followed a repatriation 'Ramp Ceremony', held at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond. (Date taken: 10 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081010adf8114832_103 The Bearer Party, made up of members of the Special Air Service Regiment, place Private David Fisher's casket into the Hearse, following a repatriation, 'Ramp Ceremony', held at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond. (Date taken: 10 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081010adf8114832_113 A Bearer Party made up of soldiers from the Special Air Service Regiment carry the casket of Private David Fisher, the last Australian soldier missing in action in Vietnam, as his mates from 2 Squadron Special Air Service Regiment watch on. (Date taken: 10 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081010adf8114832_117 A Bearer Party made up of soldiers from the Special Air Service Regiment carry the casket of Private David Fisher, the last Australian soldier missing in action in Vietnam, as his mates from 2 Squadron Special Air Service Regiment watch on. (Date taken: 10 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081010adf8114832_125 Private David Fisher's mates from 2 Squadron Special Air Service Regiment attend his repatriation 'Ramp Ceremony', at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond. (Date taken: 10 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081010adf8114832_157 Australian Army Chaplain Ronald Peacock leads a Bearer Party made up of soldiers from the Special Air Service Regiment, carrying Private David Fisher's casket during a repatriation 'Ramp Ceremony', held at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond. (Date taken: 10 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081010adf8114832_185 A Bearer Party, made up of members of the Special Air Service Regiment, carry Private David Fisher's casket through an honour guard, consisting of soldiers from 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, Commando, and veterans from 2 Squadron Special Air Service Regiment to his friends and family during a repatriation 'Ramp Ceremony', held at Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond. (Date taken: 10 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081010adf8114832_187 A Bearer Party, made up of members of the Special Air Service Regiment, carry Private David Fisher's casket through an honour guard, consisting of soldiers from the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, Commando, to his friends and family at a repatriation, 'Ramp Ceremony', held at RAAF Base Richmond. (Date taken: 10 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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