One of our finest
Fallen Warrant Officer brought home

United in grief: SASR warrant officers carry the flag-draped coffin of their comrade, WO2 David Nary, to a waiting hearse at Perth International Airport. Left: WO2 Nary is shown here in a treasured family photo. Main photo by AB Kade Rogers

WO2 David Nary

By Steve Ridgway and
Cpl Cameron Jamieson

"... his death is a sad loss for the entire ADF community and is deeply felt by all those who had the privilege to serve alongside him."

- CDF ACM Angus Houston

IT WAS a dry, bright, sunny late afternoon when SASR soldier WO2 David Nary returned to Australia.

The local evening breeze, the Fremantle Doctor, blew gently as the aircraft carrying his body touched down at Perth International Airport on November 10.

Not long ago he had set off for the Middle East, one of Australia’s most experienced soldiers. Now he had returned, the victim of a vehicle accident.

His family and a dozen SASR comrades had already entered the airport discreetly by a side gate, escorted by police and airport officials. While the family waited inside the terminal, his coffin was unloaded and brought to his black-armbanded comrades. They surrounded it in a protective ring, gently unwrapping the tarpaulin and cover sheets, and laying over it the Australian flag they had brought.

When all was ready, his wife and their two children came forward. Accompanying them were his parents, who had flown in from Sydney, and his former wife, their two children and her husband. All were united in sorrow as the Regimental Padre spoke a few words.

Finally the coffin was carried to the nearby hearse by a party of eight SASR warrant officers, and gently placed within it. Every soldier then returned to the family to console them in their grief.

Dead or alive, the Regiment looks after its own.

WO2 Nary, 42, died on November 6 from injuries he received in a training exercise at a Middle East base while preparing for future support operations in Iraq. He was struck by a vehicle and, despite the efforts of his colleagues, he died at the scene.

CDF ACM Angus Houston said WO2 Nary was an extremely popular soldier with a wealth of Special Forces experience.

“His experience, leadership and significant achievements within the Regiment were recognised in January this year when he was promoted to WO2,” ACM Houston said.

“He was one of our finest soldiers, and his death is a sad loss for the entire ADF community and is deeply felt by all those who had the privilege to serve alongside him.”

CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy said WO2 Nary was a soldier of enormous experience and was trusted and respected by all in the Regiment and all that met him. “He’s the sort of guy that the SAS makes,” the CA said. “He’s the sort of guy that we respect so much for their commitment to their regiment, to the Army and to the nation.”

SOCAUST Maj-Gen Mike Hindmarsh said WO2 Nary’s character was extremely admirable.

“He was highly regarded by soldiers of all ranks within Special Operations and the wider Defence Force,” he said.

“His leadership and professionalism represented what SASR members strive to achieve, and his passing is a tremendous loss to the regiment and to Special Operations Command. He will be truly missed by all of us.”

WO2 Nary enlisted in the Army in 1981 and served as an infantryman in 8/9RAR and 11/28RWAR before joining SASR in 1989. He had served on operations in Sinai, East Timor and Afghanistan.

Prime Minister John Howard said he extended his condolences to WO2 Nary’s wife and children, and praised the valiant efforts made by his colleagues to give first aid in order to try and save him.

“The death of any man or woman in uniform of Australia is felt very keenly,” Mr Howard said.

“This man had a wonderful career with the SAS and he was an outstanding serviceman.

“The loss of anybody in these circumstances is very tragic and I am very saddened by what’s happened.”

WO2 Nary’s funeral is expected to be held in Perth this week.