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Image Gallery: August 2010

27 August 2010
Fallen soldiers return home

Private Grant Kirby and Private Tomas Dale returned home today to be met by their families, loved ones and mates from Brisbane based 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) in a solemn and dignified ceremony at RAAF Base Amberley.

Private Grant Kirby, aged 35 and Private Tomas Dale, aged 21 lost their lives when they were struck by an Improvised Explosive Device while on patrol in the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan, 20 August 2010.

The two Australian soldiers from The 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, based in Brisbane, were deployed to Afghanistan as a part of Operation Slipper as a part of the 1st Mentoring Task Force.

The ceremony was attended by friends, family and members of 6RAR; Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner; the Shadow Minister for Defence, Senator David Johnston; Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant General David Hurley; Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie; and Commander 7th Brigade, Brigadier Paul McLachlan.

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The bearer party carry the caskets from the RAAF C-17 Globemaster.

(Date taken: 27 August 2010)
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The Pipe and Drums lead the procession as Private Dale and Private Kirby are carried by their mates.

(Date taken: 27 August 2010)
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Members of 6RAR form an honour guard as the bearer party receives and carries the caskets of Private Tomas Dale and Private Grant Kirby.

(Date taken: 27 August 2010)
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Members of 6RAR carry the caskets to the waiting families.

(Date taken: 27 August 2010)
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Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, places Private Kirby's medals on the casket.

(Date taken: 27 August 2010)
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The family of Private Grant Kirby, flanked by Commander 7th Brigade, Brigadier Paul McLachlan and the 6RAR soldier who escorted Privates Dale and Kirby home.

(Date taken: 27 August 2010)
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David and Karen Dale honour their son Tomas at the repatriation ceremony.

(Date taken: 27 August 2010)
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Padre Jim Cosgrove leads the procession as the caskets are carried to the families of Privates Dale and Kirby.

(Date taken: 27 August 2010)
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