Family pays tribute to fallen soldier
The family of a 21-year-old Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan says it was his life-long ambition to serve his country.
The Defence Force announced on Sunday that Sapper Jamie Ronald Larcombe had become the 23rd Australian soldier to be killed in the conflict.
Sapper Larcombe and an Afghan interpreter were shot and killed in a Taliban ambush in Uruzgan.
Sapper Larcombe’s family says he was born on Kangaroo Island and attended Parndana Area School, where he was loved by all his peers.
“His life ambition was to serve his country,” the family said in a statement on Sunday.
“Jamie was a fun, loving individual who loved life and loved to give where he could.
“A dedicated brother, son and partner, he could always be relied on. Anyone who came in contact with Jamie grew to love him for his personality and great sense of humour.
“He was cherished by his local Kangaroo Island community, friends, family and his close Army mates, who are now mourning this great loss.”
Sapper Larcombe’s family says he had also been a Country Fire Service volunteer and played for his local footy club.
Earlier on Tasmanian Times: • Another digger dies • ‘I’ve got a few holes in me’ (includes links to Andrew Wilkie, Max Atkinson and Scott MacInnes arguments against Australia’s presence in Afghanistan
