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Image Gallery: July 2010

22 July 2010
Private Nathan Bewes Farewelled

Private Nathan Bewes was farewelled by family, friends and comrades in Murwillumbah today (22 July).

Mourners gathered at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 11am to celebrate the life of Private Bewes, 23, who was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan on 09 July.

Mourners and soldiers of the Brisbane-based 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) lined the road from Sacred Heart Church through Murwillumbah to salute their mate, as his hearse carried him to a private family burial.

Private Bewes was serving with the 1st Mentoring Task Force in Afghanistan, and was part of a dismounted Australian patrol conducting operations in the Chora Valley region of Uruzgan province.

He was conducting a patrol in the Baluchi Valley with Mentoring Team Charlie when he was killed by the IED.

Private Bewes joined the Army in 2005 and in the same year successfully completed his recruit and infantry basic training prior to being posted to 6RAR.

This was his second deployment to Afghanistan. Private Bewes had also deployed to East Timor in 2006.

Private Bewes was qualified in Direct Fire Support Weapons (DFSW), Combat First Aid and as a driver of the Protected Mobility Vehicle.

Private Bewes was awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with clasp International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT), Australian Service Medal with clasp Timor Leste, the Australian Defence Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO medal with clasp ISAF and the East Timor Solidarity Medal. Private Bewes was also awarded the Infantry Combat Badge and for previous deployments, he was awarded the Returned Active Service Badge.

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The Australian flag and slouch hat lay on the coffin of Private Nathan Bewes during his funeral service held in his home town of Murwillumbah in northern New South Wales.

(Date taken: 22 July 2010)
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A picture of Private Nathan Bewes and his medals displayed at his funeral service.

(Date taken: 22 July 2010)
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The Australian flag and slouch hat lay on the coffin of Private Nathan Bewes during his funeral service held in his home town of Murwillumbah in northern New South Wales.

(Date taken: 22 July 2010)
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Father David Gilbey reads a prayer during the funeral service of Private Nathan Bewes.

(Date taken: 22 July 2010)
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Parents of Private Nathan Bewes Garry and Kate place a cross and Bible on their sons Coffin.

(Date taken: 22 July 2010)
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Family of Private Nathan Bewes at his funeral service held in his home town of Murwillumbah in northern New South Wales.

(Date taken: 22 July 2010)
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Family, friends and dignitaries fill the church in Murwillumbah the hometown of Private Nathan Bewes for his funeral service.

(Date taken: 22 July 2010)
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Brigadier Paul McLachlan, Commander 7 Brigade, delivers the eulogy to mourners at the funeral service of Private Nathan Bewes.

(Date taken: 22 July 2010)
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Acting Chief of Army Major General Paul Symon AO, enjoys a lighter moment during the eulogy given by Sam Preston, the cousin of Private Nathan Bewes.

(Date taken: 22 July 2010)
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Acting Chief of Army Major General Paul Symon AO looks at the coffin of Private Nathan Bewes during the funeral service.

(Date taken: 22 July 2010)
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Father David Gilbey conducts the final blessing at the funeral service for Private Nathan Bewes.

(Date taken: 22 July 2010)
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Bearer Party carries the coffin of Private Nathan Bewes to the waiting hearse after his funeral service held in his home town of Murwillumbah in northern New South Wales.

(Date taken: 22 July 2010)
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