Family pays tribute to fallen soldier
he 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 today 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 by Taliban insurgents in the Oruzgan province of Afghanistan.
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.
He is the second Darwin-based combat engineer to be killed in Afghanistan this month.
The chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, said while nothing could match the grief felt by Sapper Larcombe's family, his death was a particular blow to the Darwin-based first combat engineer regiment.
"The unit has lost two of their mates in a very short period of time," he said.
"They are doing it tough but I have great faith in their professionalism, their determination and their ability to support each other as they focus on their mission and also return their former mate home to his family.
"Their morale is high ... they're good Australian soldiers and they will pull together, they'll mourn together and they'll come out and fight together."
Despite the death, Australia's political leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has paid tribute to the 21-year-old and says she is determined to see the mission through.
"It's a hard mission and I'm not underestimating the cost. I understand the cost," she said.
"We're talking about the loss of a very brave, very young man today. Jamie was 21 years old. So I understand the cost but I also understand the importance of this mission."
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Sapper Larcombe died taking the fight to terrorism.
"Our hearts go out to all of our brave military personnel who are serving in a very dangerous place."
Defence Minister Stephen Smith has warned Australia to steel itself for more deaths.
Sapper Larcombe - who was on his first tour of Afghanistan - leaves his partner Rhiannon, parents Steven and Tricia, and three younger sisters, Ann-Marie, Emily and April.
