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Image Gallery: July 2009

26 July 2009
Private Benjamin Ranaudo Returns Home

PTE Benjamin Ranaudo was welcomed home by family and comrades of Townsville’s 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) at Avalon Airport.

The remains of PTE Ranaudo arrived via RAAF C-17 at the Victorian airport on Sunday 27 July 09.

A 1RAR bearer party was piped from the aircraft as they carried PTE Ranaudo’s coffin to his waiting family.

“We meet here today to reverently bring the mortal remains of Benjamin James Ranaudo, who died in the course of his duties while on active service in the Australian Army in a foreign land, back to his homeland,” CHAP Steve Neuhaus said.

“We give thanks for Ben’s devotion to duty; we pray for those who mourn.”

PTE Renaudo, 22, was killed in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan Province on 18 July 2009.

CHAP Neuhaus led the assembled mourners in the Soldiers Prayer and the Prayer of the Royal Australian Regiment.

VCDF LTGEN David Hurley presented PTE Ranaudo’s medals, which included the AASM, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO medal- ISAF, the Timor Solidarity Medal and the Infantry Combat Badge.

A bugler sounded the Last Post and Rouse after RSM 3BDE WO1 Grant McFarlane recited the Ode.

A piper played the Australian National Anthem.

Attending the ceremony were Minister for Defence John Faulkner, Shadow spokesman for Defence Science and Personnel Bob Baldwin. Deputy CA MAJGEN Paul Symon and Commander 3BDE BRIG Stuart Smith.

More: Media Release

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Vice Chief of the Defence Force, LTGENl David Hurley, Minister for Defence John Faulkner, Deputy CA MAJGEN Paul Symon and Commander 3BDE BRIG Stuart Smith at the Ramp Ceremony for PTE Benjamin Ranaudo at Avalon Airfield in Victoria.

(Date taken: 26 July 2009)
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The bearer party carries PTE Benjamin Ranaudo's coffin from the C-17 aircraft at Avalon Airfield in Victoria.

(Date taken: 26 July 2009)
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The bearer party places PTE Benjamin Ranaudo's coffin from the C-17 aircraft onto a bier at Avalon Airfield, Victoria.

(Date taken: 26 July 2009)
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Vice Chief of the Defence Force, LTGEN David Hurley lays Private Benjamin Ranaudo's medals on the coffin.

(Date taken: 26 July 2009)
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The bearer party carries PTE Benjamin Ranaudo's coffin to a waiting hearse at Avalon Airfield in Victoria.

(Date taken: 26 July 2009)
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The bearer party carries PTE Benjamin Ranaudo's coffin to a waiting hearse at Avalon Airfield in Victoria

(Date taken: 26 July 2009)
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The funeral procession for PTE Benjamin Ranaudo escorts the hearse carrying his remains from Avalon Airport.

(Date taken: 26 July 2009)
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