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Brothers in arms
By Flt-Lt Lauretta Webster
Edition 1173, August 23, 2007 |
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Mates: Ptes Tim Long, James Price, Matt Richards and Simon Buckler have followed each other from IET training to their first deployment in Timor.
Photo by LS Kade Rogers |
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FOUR soldiers who joined the Army together and trained together are now serving in Timor-Leste together.
Pte James Price, Pte Tim Long, Pte Simon Buckler and Pte Matt Richards met in Singleton in May 2006.
Initial training followed in August with the Townsville-based 1RAR where the new diggers found themselves together again.
Then on completion of their specialist infantry training, the four new mates marched into 1 Sec, 7 Pl of C Coy as qualified riflemen ready for any tasks.
And they didn’t have to wait long.
Early this year the four were informed of their impending deployment to Timor-Leste as part of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) providing a secure environment for the Timorese people.
“I was excited to hear about Timor. Especially so soon after joining the Army,” Pte Price said.
All four joined the Army for varying reasons, but one aspect was agreed upon by all.
“Wanting to serve our country and feel proud doing it,” the four chimed.
As young new-generation diggers, the four mates are enjoying their time in Timor, particularly because they are there serving together.
“We have definitely built a pretty strong bond. There’s nothing quite like experiencing something with your mates,” Pte Long said.
This was a sentiment shared by all four, and something Pte Richards and Pte Price said they felt privileged to experience.
“It’s pretty surreal to be here together, all four of us at the same time,” Pte Richards said.
“There’s definitely a satisfaction in being able to help the Timorese and to be able to do it with the mates you joined up with,” Pte Price said.
With only two months left of their deployment before returning to Australia, the group of friends agreed that this is one time of their lives they would never forget.
“I never thought I would be serving overseas so soon with the Army and then to be doing it with three mates is just something I won’t forget, we won’t forget,” Pte Long said.
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