Memorial Service For 6RAR Fallen

Memorial Service For 6RAR Fallen

Today the families and friends of Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney, Private Grant Kirby and Private Tomas Dale joined their military colleagues and members of the ex-service community and the Royal Australian Regiment Associations in a memorial service for the fallen soldiers.

The Memorial Service to honour the memory of Lance Corporal MacKinney, Private Kirby and Private Dale was held by their unit, the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), at the 6RAR Memorial, Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera.

Private Kirby and Private Dale were killed in action when they were struck by an Improvised Explosive Device and Lance Corporal MacKinney was killed in action while on duty with the Mentoring Task Force - One (MTF-1) in Afghanistan.

During the ceremony, Commander 7th Brigade, Brigadier Paul McLachlan, paid tribute to the three soldiers.

“It takes a certain type of person to join the military, to be willing to put your life on the line in the service of your country is without a doubt the unusual choice of an exceptional bunch of people,” Brigadier McLachlan said.

“The examples in combat offered to us by Tom Dale, Grant Kirby and Jared MacKinney sets the bar even higher for us all. They fought and served with honour, courage and conviction.”

He went on to thank the community for their ongoing support.

“To the Queensland and Australian community, some of whom are represented here today, I would like to thank you all for your amazing support and concern,” Brigadier McLachlan said.

“The outpouring of sympathy and best wishes has been overwhelming, and humbling, and it makes us proud to be the soldiers of such a nation.”

ENDS