Australian Soldier killed in Afghanistan

Corporal Richard Edward Atkinson

              Today as I sit here and whinge about the weather, a family on the other side of the country is informed that someone they love has been killed in Afghanistan.  Another fine soldier gone.  My thoughts are with his family and loved ones and I weep for them as I think of a life cut short and a life that could have been filled with many good years of love, memories, good times and family.   As his family grieve at this time I offer prayers.
           Corporal Richard Edward Atkinson was born in Tasmania and has family in WA, he was also to marry his finance Dannielle. Richard's family have described him as a funny guy who would always put a smile on someone face and he also was a family man.  Acting defence force chief Lieutenant General David Hurley extended the deepest sympathy on behalf of the defence force to Corporal Atkinson's family.

              Young twenty-two year old Corporal Richard Edward Atkinson had his life snatched away at about 9.30am Wednesday (afgh time) when a IED took his life in the Tangi Valley near Deh Rahwod, about 30 kilometres west of Tarin Kowt.  Australia's last fatality occurred in the same insurgency hotspot. Corporal Atkinson and another soldier were participating in a foot security patrol with the Afghan National Army at the time of the incident.  The other soldier was wounded and is in a stable condition.  He was treated at the scene then flown by US helicopter to the hospital at the main base at Tarin Kowt.  Both soldiers were members of the Australian Mentoring Task Force (MTF-2) t

                 This was Corporal Atkinson's first deployment to Afghanistan but had been to Indonesia for Operation Padang Assist a humanitarian mission following the 2009 earthquake there.

             ********* Since the launch of operations in late 2001, this is our twenty second loss of life and our first of 2011.  As with every fatality, there will be an internal Defense inquiry.  

                            

Corporal Atkinson and fiance Dannielle

 MY POSTSCRIPT:  Lest We Forget all fine men and women that have fallen, may we always remember them and their sacrifice.  Let us remember that every soldiers life that has been lost over the years is a loss for us all.

                                      

Lest We Forget

 Media Release from the ADF   http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=11375

Statement from Corporal Atkinson's family  http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=11380