AUSTRALIAN soldiers serving on Operation ANODE have paid their respects to Private Jamie Michael Clark, in a touching memorial service held in the Solomon Islands.
Members of Combined Task Force 635 and special guests from RAMSI, the High Commission, the Participating Police Force and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force converged to remember the 21-year-old infantry man.
“Every year, we carry out a memorial service for him, in remembrance of his duty and service to our country; it should always be remembered by the rest of the community and especially the Australian soldiers,” said CTF635 Commander, Lieutenant Colonel David Thompson.
Private Clark died on 10 March 2005.
He was on patrol searching for possible weapon caches east of Honiara on Mount Austen when he fell into a sinkhole and died.
A month before the tragic accident he was highly commended by the Australian Federal Police for pacifying a knife wielding woman without any undue force.
“I think it’s a tragic loss for anyone, especially when you see Jamie’s service history which is exemplary. Every report he received was outstanding and his close mateship with the rest of the section,” Lieutenant Colonel David Thompson said.
Private Clark’s mother Avril often visits the area to foster her relationship with the Australian troops and local villagers, especially in the Gifu community.
“She has raised a huge amount of money and bought it back to country over a period of years to help the local community where he died and establish a kindergarten, and the locals have adopted Jamie as one of their children,” Lieutenant Colonel David Thompson said.
Private Clark was posted to 3 RAR where he was selected for service on Operation Citadel in East Timor in 2002, and deployed to the Solomons with Bravo Company in January 2005.
The service also recognised AFP Officer Adam Dunning, who was shot and killed six years ago, and three other RAMSI police officers from Pacific Island countries.
– Australian Defence Force
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