Media Room | Reports and Publications | Careers and Recruiting | Industry and Contracts | Other Defence Links

Image Gallery: July 2009

31 July 2009
The funeral of Private Benjamin Ranaudo

An “Australian hero” was bid farewell by family, friends and comrades at Springvale Botanical Cemetery in Victoria on Friday, 31 July 2009.

Private (PTE) Benjamin Ranaudo, 22, was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan Province on 18 July 2009.

A RAAF C-17 returned him to Australia on Sunday 26 July 09.

Prime Minister Mr Kevin Rudd addressed the assembled mourners at the filled-to-capacity Boyd Chapel in the cemetery grounds.

“We regard him as an Australian hero,” Mr Rudd said.

PTE Ranaudo served in Afghanistan with Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force-2. He was posted to Townsville’s 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), part of the 3rd Brigade (3BDE).

Commander 3BDE, Brigadier Stuart Smith, paid tribute to PTE Ranaudo’s qualities as a soldier, and said his mates in Afghanistan were more determined than ever to achieve their mission in Uruzgan.

“His example is their inspiration,” he said.

A bearer party and honour guard from 1RAR escorted a gun carriage bearing PTE Ranaudo’s coffin to the burial site at the M A R Synnot Lawn, where a firing party saluted the departed soldier with three volleys, and a bugler sounded the Last Post and Rouse.

Also attending the funeral service was Chief of Defence Force Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston, Deputy Chief of Army Major General Paul Symon, Minister for Defence Senator John Faulkner and Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Mr Greg Combet.

20090731adf8143085_031
The adorned casket of Private Benjamin Ranaudo.

(Date taken: 31 July 2009)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090731adf8143085_047
Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and Prime Minister Mr Kevin Rudd with mourners after the church service to farewell Private Benjamin Ranaudo.

(Date taken: 31 July 2009)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090731adf8143085_058
Private Ben Ranaudo is transported to the graveside aboard a gun carriage, surrounded by friends, family and his Army colleagues.

(Date taken: 31 July 2009)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090731adf8143085_091
The Bearer Party carry the casket of Private Benjamin Ranaudo to the graveside.

(Date taken: 31 July 2009)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090731adf8143085_112
The Last Post is played at the burial of Private Ben Ranaudo.

(Date taken: 31 July 2009)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090731adf8143085_150
Chaplain Steve Neuhaus leads a prayer during the service to farewell Private Ben Ranaudo.

(Date taken: 31 July 2009)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090731adf8143085_161
Chaplain Steve Neuhaus leads the Bearer Party from the chapel, at the conclusion of the service to farewell Private Benjamin Ranaudo.

(Date taken: 31 July 2009)
Low-Res | Hi-Res

20090731adf8143085_182
The gun carriage carrying Private Ben Ranaudo is escorted from the chapel to the graveside at Springvale Cemetery.

(Date taken: 31 July 2009)
Low-Res | Hi-Res