Solider's war death hits close to home

Oct. 23, 2012, 5:20 p.m.

Corporal Scott Smith.

UPDATE

Fallen solider Scott Smith from the Barossa Valley has been described as a great friend.

Scott Rogasch, a former schoolmate who played cricket and football with Scott said he was a legend of a bloke.

"Everyone who knew him would speak highly of him," Scott said.

"Scott went to Darwin and enlisted after leaving school and I visited him up there a couple of years ago."

Scott lived in Keyneton during his early years and attended the Keyneton primary school.

He then moved to the Barossa Valley where he attended Faith Lutheran School and met his partner Liv when she came to Faith as an exchange student from Germany.

Corporal Smith was killed by an improvised explosive device while searching a compound in southern Afghanistan on October 21.

He is survived by his partner Liv, parents Katrina Paterson and Murray Smith and sister Roxanne.

College Principal of Faith Lutheran College, Tanunda Gavan Cramer said it is a terrible tragedy for Scott Smiths family and the Barossa Community.

"Faith Lutheran College extends our prayers, thoughts and sympathy to Scott's family," Mr Cramer said.

Scott did three years at Faith Lutheran College before doing year 11 at Nuriootpa High School.

He was a very active member of the sporting community and in 2003 he played in the Under 16s Junior cricket for Greenock Cricket Club and won the under 15s premiership with Nuriootpa Rovers football club.

He also played under 17s football for Nuriootpa in 2004.

David Nitschke, who coached Scott in 2004 at Nuriootpa Football Club said Scott was a creative footballer, very useful on the field, pleasant to coach, approachable and mischievous.

Federal Member for Barker Patrick Secker said Corporal Smith was born in the Barossa Valley in his electorate and his thoughts and prayers are with Scott's family, friends and his fellow soldiers who served along side him in Afghanistan.

"I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Corporal Scott James Smith, who was killed in action in Afghanistan this week by an improvised explosive device," Mr Secker said.

"Australian Soldiers serving in Afghanistan work in treacherous and life threatening conditions on a daily basis – I wish to acknowledge and thank them for their bravery. The death of Corporal Smith is very sad and he made the ultimate sacrifice for our country."

Corporal Smith was a member of the Special Operations Task Group and was from the Special Operations Engineer Regiment, based at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney.

Chief of the Defence Force General David Hurley has extended his condolences on behalf of the Army and Defence community.

“I offer my deepest sympathy to the soldier’s family and his friends. Our thoughts are also with his mates who remain in the field,” General Hurley said.

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill also extended sympathies on behalf of the state.

"“The loss of Corporal Smith is a tragedy for our state and our nation,” he said.

"This is a particularly poignant loss, coming as some 450 soldiers from South Australia prepare to deploy to Afghanistan with 7 RAR.

“It also comes just weeks before Remembrance Day - the day we pause to remember all those who have given their lives for us."

Click here to view an interactive timeline of Australian deaths in Afghanistan.

Corporal Smith was awarded the following honours and awards:

Australian Active Service Medal with clasp International Coalition Against Terrorism;

Afghan Campaign Medal;

Australian Service Medal with Clasp Solomons 2;

Australian Service Medal with Clasp – Counter Terrorism / Special Recovery;

Australian Defence Medal;

NATO International Stabilisation Assistance Force Medal with Multi-Tour Indicator 2;