Image Gallery: March 2009
19 March 2009
Afghan Diggers farewell a mate
Australian and coalition soldiers gathered to celebrate and commemorate the life of Corporal Mathew Hopkins, killed in action on the 16th of March. Corporal Hopkins died while conducting offensive operations in conjunction with the Afghan National Army in Oruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan.
Corporal Hopkins, known throughout the Battle Group as Hoppie, was on his second tour in Afghanistan. A professional and respected leader, Hoppie had risen rapidly through the ranks.
In a solemn ceremony, Hoppie’s mates spoke of an exemplary soldier and a mate, who would be sorely missed both professionally and personally. They spoke of his recent marriage and the birth of his first child while on leave from the Battle Group.
As prayers and reflections concluded, an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle carried Corporal Hopkins’ casket to the airfield, with troops from a host of nations lining the route, paying their respects to a fellow soldier who had paid the ultimate price while working to secure a safe and stable future for the people of Afghanistan.
His casket was placed on a Royal Australian Air Force Hercules aircraft to begin the journey home to his family and friends.
| 20090318adf8185016_0037 Infantrymen from the 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (7 RAR) rest on arms reverse, as the Cataflaque Party post a vigil around their fallen comrade, Corporal Mathew Hopkins, during his memorial service in Tarin Kowt, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0042 The casket of Corporal Mathew Hopkins is dressed with the symbols of his military service, the slouch hat, the bayonet and the Australian flag, a photograph of “Hoppie” on operations and a candle represent the man, the soldier and his dedication to the country he served. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0091 The symbol of the Australian Digger, the slouch hat, rests on Corporal Mathew Hopkins casket as his fellow soldiers bid him a sad farewell in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0116 The casket of Corporal Mathew Hopkins is placed into the back of an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle by the Bearer Party. The soldiers selected for this solemn duty were drawn from “Hoppie’s” close mates. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0132 Chaplain Richard Whereat, the padre for the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF1), leads the procession for Corporal Mathew Hopkins as he is carried to an awaiting Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules to begin his journey to his home and family. Chaplain Whereat served with Corporal Hopkins in both the 1st Reconstruction Task Force and MRTF1. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0142 The Bearer Party march in slow time guarding the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle that carries their mate, Corporal Mathew Hopkins, as he makes his final journey home. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0149 With the pipes accompanying, the procession of Australian Army personnel and vehicles carry their fallen comrade, Corporal Mathew Hopkins to a waiting Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules, to begin his repatriation home to family and friends. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0162 Flanked by his Battle Group, the Bearer Party positions itself to carry the casket of their mate, Corporal Mathew Hopkins to begin his final journey back to Australia. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0183 Carried on the shoulders of his close friends and fellow soldiers, Corporal Mathew Hopkins of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force is moved towards an awaiting Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules that will bear him from Afghanistan and begin his journey home. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0188 Flanked by soldiers from Australia, Afghanistan and the Netherlands, Corporal Mathew Hopkins of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force is moved towards an awaiting Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules that will bear him from Afghanistan and begin his journey home. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0211 Corporal Mathew Hopkins receives a final salute from his Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Shane Gabriel as the Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules bearing him from Afghanistan lifts off from the runway at Tarin Kowt. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0227 The Bearer Party carries Corporal Mathew Hopkins to his Memorial Service at Tarin Kowt, Oruzgan Province. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0229 The Bearer Party stands to attention, after delivering Corporal Mathew Hopkins’ casket during his Memorial Service at Camp Holland in southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0247 The helicopter hangar which became a chapel for the Memorial Service of Corporal Mathew Hopkins was filled with the uniforms of Australian, Afghan and coalition nations, who had come together to pay their respects to a soldier who has made the ultimate sacrifice. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0265 The members of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, stand to attention as the casket of Corporal Mathew Hopkins is carried from his memorial Service in Tarin Kowt, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0277 The Bearer Party carry the casket of Corporal Mathew Hopkins from the hangar which provided the venue for his Memorial Service to an awaiting Australian Light Armoured Vehicle, which will bear him to an awaiting Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0328 A Canadian soldier, Corporal Jim Gendron, made the journey from Kandahar Air Field to help farewell Corporal Mathew Hopkins, as he begins his journey from Afghanistan to Australia. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0344 The Bearer Party, carry the casket of Corporal Mathew Hopkins towards the ramp of a Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules, which will carry the young soldier on the first leg of his journey home to Australia. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20090318adf8185016_0345 The Bearer Party, carry the casket of Corporal Mathew Hopkins towards the ramp of a Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules, which will carry the young soldier on the first leg of his journey home to Australia. (Date taken: 18 March 2009) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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