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SF trio killed in crash

Edition 1164, April 19, 2007
 
Sgt Craig Linacre
 
Cpl David O’Neill
 
Cpl Michael McAvoy
THE Special Forces community is mourning the loss of three soldiers – including one decorated for bravery in Afghanistan – killed in a car accident in Victoria on April 9.

The highly respected soldiers had a wealth of operational experience, having fought in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Killed were Sgt Craig Linacre 32, Cpl Michael McAvoy, 34, and Cpl David O’Neill, 31.

They were in Victoria for training at the Defence facility on Swan Island. They were returning to base when their vehicle left the road and plunged into the water about 1am.

SOCOMD Maj-Gen Mike Hindmarsh said the three men were “fine young Australians who had served their nation with great distinction and my heart goes out to their families”.

“What is equally tragic is that all three of these soldiers survived some of the toughest combat the ADF has seen since Vietnam, yet they died tragically in a motor vehicle accident,” Maj-Gen Hindmarsh said.

Sgt Linacre’s wife, Taryn, Cpl McAvoy’s fiancee, Vanessa Calvert, and Cpl O’Neill’s fiancee, Sarah Cole, all said their partners had achieved a personal and professional ambition by joining the SASR – Sgt Linacre in 1996, Cpl McAvoy in 2001 and Cpl O’Neill in 1997.

Mrs Linacre said what her husband “loved most about his job was the knowledge that each day he was making a difference”.

“He was a brave and dedicated soldier who, through his dedication to his country, his job and his mates was awarded a Commendation for Gallantry,” Mrs Linacre said.

“Craig knew the risks involved in being a Special Forces soldier but had served his nation with great pride.

“I’m sure he will be remembered by his mates as someone who was able to lift their spirits in even the most trying of times, with a tune or a joke. I’m so grateful that my daughter, Asha, and I were so blessed to have had him in our lives.”

Ms Calvert said Cpl McAvoy was “a professional soldier, who loved working alongside his mates in the SASR” and had “proudly served his country in Iraq and Afghanistan”.

“Michael was passionate about our daughter, Phoebe, and this is testament to the man he was,” she said.

“Every moment that he wasn’t at work, Michael spent with Phoebe, myself and our dogs.

“He got enormous pleasure from doing simple things with his family.”

Family also played a large part in the life of Cpl O’Neill, who planned to marry his fiancee, Ms Cole, in the Cook Islands in November.

His cousin, Simon Legg, said Cpl O’Neill was dedicated to his family and his job.

“He was a jovial character whose zest for life was infectious to all who met him,” he said.

“He was a selfless, loyal, all endearing and humorous person, who gave 100 per cent to everyone around him. His commitment to his job, his country, his family, his mates and comrades was undivided.

“David completed two tours of duty in East Timor, two in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. During his time in East Timor he encouraged his family and friends back home in Australia to send toys, balls and writing and reading materials which he and several of his Army colleagues would distribute to villages in their off-duty hours.”

LIVES OF SERVICE

Sgt Craig Linacre
Sgt Linacre enlisted in the ARA on February 22, 1994. After completing IET at 49RQR he remained posted to the unit. In 1996 Sgt Linacre completed the SAS selection course and completed another 15 specialist courses.

He was posted to 2 SAS Sqn and had deployed on operations in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. Honours and awards: AASM with the East Timor Clasp; Return from Active Service Badge; Infantry Combat Badge; UN Medal with the UN Transitional Authority East Timor Ribbon; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; International Coalition Against Terrorism Clasp to the AASM; Iraq Clasp to the AASM; ADM; Commendation for Gallantry.


Cpl Michael McAvoy
Cpl McAvoy enlisted in the ARA on December 15, 1992. He commenced IET at Puckapunyal on March 8, 1993, and on completion was posted to 1 Armd Regt. In 2001 Cpl McAcoy completed the SAS selection course and over the next two years completed another 15 specialist courses.

He was posted to 2 SAS Sqn and had deployed on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Honours and awards: Infantry Combat Badge; Return from Active Service Badge; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; International Coalition Against Terrorism Clasp to the AASM; Iraq Campaign Medal; Iraq Clasp to the AASM; ADM.

Cpl David O’Neill
Cpl O’Neill enlisted in the Reserve on March 28, 1993, and served with 1 Cdo Regt. He transferred to the ARA on May 9, 1995, and after completing IET was posted to 3RAR.

In 1997 he completed the SAS selection course and completed another 15 courses. He was posted to 2 SAS Sqn and had deployed on operations in East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Honours and awards: AASM with the Timor Clasp; Return from Active Service Badge; Infantry Combat Badge; UN Medal with the UN Transitional Authority East Timor Ribbon; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; International Coalition Against Terrorism Clasp to the AASM; ADM.