Cameron Baird

Australian commando Cameron Baird was killed in operations in Afghanistan in 2013. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery and devotion to duty on Operation Slipper.

Early life

Cameron Stewart Baird was born in Burnie, Tasmania, on 7 June 1981. He moved to Melbourne in 1984 with his parents, Kaye and Doug, and older brother Brendan. Cameron attended primary and secondary school in Gladstone Park. He graduated from Gladstone Park Secondary College in 1999.

In his youth, Cameron was a talented athlete. His father recalled Cameron's talent:

It's a phenomenal story. It was one of an outstanding sportsperson in his younger life. He was an Australian discus champion. He was an outstanding Australian Rules footballer.

[Doug Baird, AM presented by Philip William, ABC Listen, 30 October 2014.]

Cameron's father was a former footballer for Carlton Football Club. Cameron initially wanted to follow in his father's footsteps. He played little league games for Carlton and did work experience at the club. Later on, Cameron played junior football for a local club, the Calder Cannons. He also played a match for Geelong in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Cameron's former AFL coach, Robert Hyde, said of his ability:

He was a great big, strong young fella, he'd attack the ball, he had good hands … He'd work to the nth degree. If you said 'you need to pick a up a yard in pace', he would diligently go out and do some extra training with speed and agility to be able to perform to his best.

[Robert Hyde, 'No Surprise for VC's footy club', SBS News, 2014.]

Cameron nominated for the AFL draft in 1999, but his name was not called. This was likely due to a serious ongoing shoulder injury. The injury contributed to Cameron's decision to change course and join the Australian Army. He was initially rejected by the Army, also due to his shoulder. Cameron successfully appealed the decision and joined the Army in January 2000. He was 18.

At the time, his old football coach thought the Army was a good fit for Cameron:

You don't sit back and say, 'Oh, that's a surprise.' It wasn't. I thought, 'Oh well. He's pretty bloody well-suited to doing that.'

[Robert Hyde, 'No Surprise for VC's footy club', SBS News, 2014.]

Military career

In mid-2000, Cameron turned 19. He completed his training and was awarded 'most outstanding soldier' at his passing out parade. Cameron was assigned to the 4th (Commando) Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR).

With 4RAR, Cameron deployed on a tour to East Timor in 2001 and 2 tours to Iraq in 2003. He quickly obtained the rank of lance corporal and then corporal.

Cameron toured Afghanistan 4 times during Operation Slipper with the 2nd Commando Regiment (2 Cdo Regt), previously known as 4RAR.

Medal of Gallantry citation

In 2007, Corporal Cameron Baird was awarded the Medal for Gallantry (MG) for 'gallantry in action during close quarters combat'. The MG is awarded to Australian military personnel for courageous behaviour in dangerous situations.

During his first tour of Afghanistan and on his first operation as a Team Commander, Cameron's platoon came under heavy and sustained fire. One of his team was injured. Cameron quickly led his team forward to recover the wounded man. He then coordinated his team successfully in battle, completing their mission. The citation notes his 'conspicuous gallantry, composure and superior leadership under fire'.

Cameron's MG citation reads:

For gallantry in action during close quarters combat in Afghanistan on Operation Slipper. Lance Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird was part of a Commando Company mission assigned for clearance and search of a Taliban stronghold in November 2007. During the initial phase of the clearance, Lance Corporal Baird's Platoon came under heavy fire and during the ensuing close-range fire-fight, a member of his team was mortally wounded. Displaying complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Baird led other members of his team forward under heavy fire from machine guns and assault rifles to recover the wounded team member back to a position of cover.

He then re-entered the compound and continued to engage the enemy. Even though under constant fire, Lance Corporal Baird continually moved amongst his team members coordinating their fire, and throwing grenades to neutralise the enemy machine gun positions. Once the close quarter battle had been won, Lance Corporal Baird again led his team forward and began room-to-room clearance, where he was again engaged by several enemy. Lance Corporal Baird continued to lead the fight, killing several enemy and successfully completing the clearance.

Throughout the action, Lance Corporal Baird displayed conspicuous gallantry, composure and superior leadership under fire. He was personally responsible for killing several enemy combatants during the clearance, ensuring the momentum of the assault was maintained, and undoubtedly preventing further members of his section from becoming casualties. His performance and his actions were of the highest order and were in the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.

[Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG, Australian Army]

Death in the field

During his fourth tour, Cameron was killed on operations in Afghanistan on 22 June 2013.

Following his death, ADF members remembered Cameron as compassionate, courageous and gentle. He was also known for his discipline and speed in battle.

Victoria Cross citation

In 2014, Cameron was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for Australia. He was one of 4 Australians to receive a VC for their service in Afghanistan.

Cameron's VC citation reads:

For the most conspicuous acts of valour, extreme devotion to duty and ultimate self-sacrifice at Ghawchak village, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan as a Commando Team Commander in Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER.

On 22 June 2013, Corporal Baird displayed conspicuous valour and ultimate self-sacrifice in close combat with a determined enemy. With complete disregard for his own safety, he repeatedly drew enemy fire to himself in order to allow his team to manoeuvre, and charged prepared enemy positions in the face of heavy fire. His efforts enabled the enemy to be neutralised and kept his team safe, but ultimately cost him his life. His actions were of the highest order and in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.

['Victoria Cross for Australia Award – Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird MG', C2014G00294, Federal Register of Legislation, 18 February 2014]

Then Governor-General, the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, presented the VC medal to Cameron's parents, Doug and Kay Baird. The moment is captured in a stained-glass memorial window.

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Remembering Cameron

Cameron was a respected and well-liked soldier. A commanding officer who knew Cameron in East Timor said:

I remember him as being a very robust, outgoing individual, yet he was very humble. He would always be embarrassed being singled out from his peers, he was always willing to share his success and his team's success with others and frankly there is no greater example of a commando than Cpl Cameron Baird.

['Acts of great valour', Army, 27 February 2014, p 22.]

Cameron's humble nature was noticed by other commandos in his unit, including Eddie who said:

Having his picture plastered all over the newspapers and on TV at night in his pollies, he would, you know, he would have been embarrassed by it all. He didn't give up his life cheaply you know, but he just would have considered he's done his job.

[Commandos honour fallen VC comrade, Cameron Baird, ABC Listen]

Warrant Officer Dave Ashley acknowledged the high regard in which Cameron was held:

I know in both my head and in my heart that Cameron Baird is one of Australia's greatest ever soldiers.

[David Wroe, Cameron Baird, Victoria Cross recipient, was 'one of Australia's greatest-ever soldiers', Sydney Morning Herald, 19 February 2014.]

Commemorating Cameron Baird

Cameron is officially commemorated in the New South Wales Garden of Remembrance in Rookwood, Sydney.

His place of internment is the Crematorium at Allambe Memorial Park at Nerang in Queensland.

Cameron's name appears on panel 1 of the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Cameron's Victoria Cross and medals are held by the Australian War Memorial and displayed in the Hall of Valour. The Victoria Cross and medals were presented by the Baird family so that 'future generations can be educated on the meaning behind the medal', said his brother, Brendan.

The Australian War Memorial dedicated a Last Post ceremony to Cameron Baird on 13 May 2015.

There are many books on Cameron's life and story. Charities, awards and scholarships have been started and named in his honour. The Baird family preserves Cameron's memory through commemorative activities.

Many commemorations of Cameron's life can be found in Australia and overseas. A selection of these includes:

• Australian legends: the Victoria Cross stamp set issue from Australia Post in 2015
• a stained-glass window in Hamilton, Brisbane, unveiled in 2015 featuring Cameron's VC being handed to his mother by the then Governor General
• a memorial in his hometown of Burnie, Tasmania, dedicated in 2015
• Camp Baird is an Australian military compound at Al Minhad Airbase in the United Arab Emirates.

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