On 22 June 2013, Corporal Cameron Baird was a 2nd Commando Regiment Special Forces soldier when he led his platoon into a known Taliban stronghold to back-up another Australian unit under heavy fire. In the prolonged firefight, Cameron was mortally wounded. In 2014, Cameron's bravery and courage under fire saw him posthumously awarded the 100th Victoria Cross, our highest award possible for bravery in the presence of the enemy. Cameron Baird died how he lived - at the front, giving it his all, without any indecision. He will forever be remembered by his mates and the soldiers he served with in the 2nd Commando Regiment. THE COMMANDO reveals Cameron's life, from young boy and aspiring AFL player, who only missed out on being drafted because of injury, to exemplary soldier and leader. Cameron's story and that of 4RAR and 2nd Commando personifies the courage and character of the men and women who go to war and will show us the good man we have lost. australian special forces, commandos, afghanistan, 2nd commando regiment

Cameron Stewart Baird, VC, MG was a soldier in the Australian Army who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, the highest award in the Australian honours system. Cameron enlisted on 4/1/2000 and was posted to the 4th Battalion (Commando) RAR now known as the 2nd Commando Regiment. He was deployed on 7 operations including Operation TANAGER - Timor Leste in 2001 Operation BASTILLE and FALCONER - Iraq in 2003. Cameron resigned from the ADF in 2004 re enlisting in 2006 and again posted to 2nd Commando Regiment. In 2007 he was promoted to Lance Corporal and deployed on Operation SLIPPER - Afghanistan. He was awarded the Medal for Gallantry. In 2008 he was promoted to Corporal and deployed again on Operation SLIPPER in 2009 2011 and 2013. He was killed in action on 22 June 2013 and was posthumously awarded the VC for his actions in the Khod Valley Uruzgan province AfghanistanCorporal Baird is the 100th Australian to receive a VC since the award was first created by Queen Victoria in 1856. Brown timber frame and dark green mount containing photograph of soldier alongside poem with image of Victoria Cross medal in backgroundCAMS Cause - Commando for Lifecameron baird, victoria cross, medal for gallantry

Cameron Stewart Baird, VC, MG was a soldier in the Australian Army who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in Afghanistan. Cameron enlisted on 4/1/2000 and was posted to the 4th Battalion (Commando) RAR now known as the 2nd Commando Regiment. He was deployed on 7 operations including Operation TANAGER - Timor Leste in 2001 Operation BASTILLE and FALCONER - Iraq in 2003. Cameron resigned from the ADF in 2004 re enlisting in 2006 and again posted to 2nd Commando Regiment. In 2007 he was promoted to Lance Corporal and deployed on Operation SLIPPER - Afghanistan. He was awarded the Medal for Gallantry. In 2008 he was promoted to Corporal and deployed again on Operation SLIPPER in 2009 2011 and 2013. He was killed in action on 22 June 2013 and was posthumously awarded the VC for his actions in the Khod Valley Uruzgan province AfghanistanBrown timber look plastic frame containing watercolour painting in the image of a commando soldier. signature left bottom corner Henk Artplaque - Corporal Cameron Baird, VC ,MG cameron baird, victoria cross

Contents belonged to Major Damien Batty whilst serving with the United Nations Forces in Afghanistan. Major Damien Batty served in Afghanistan in 2011-2012 with the Bravo Commando Company Group, 2nd Commando Regiment in Uruzgan. The Commandos took part in 20 rotations with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) between 2007 and 2012. During this time they undertook significant combat operations, and were awarded for its actions, the regiment was collectively awarded the Unit Citation for Gallantry and the Meritorious Unit Citation.Contents from the Field Notebook Holder, (see 0096.1) belonging to Major Damien Batty whilst serving with the United Nations in Afghanistan. Located in the clear plastic compartment of the Field Note Holder: 0096.02 - Authority card in colour featuring a photograph of Major Damien Batty. 0096.03 - Facility access card in colour featuring a photograph of Major Damien Batty. Located in the folded compartment of the Field Note Holder: 0096.04 - White boarding pass with colour text 0096.05 - Peach sticker with black text 0096.06 - Peach sticker with black text 0096.07 - Green sticker with black text 0096.08 - White A4 sized paper copy of passport with certification stamp 0096.09 - Small grey Rules of Engagement card with a gloss surface and rounded corners. Has text on both sides 0096.10 - Small yellow Rules of Engagement card with a gloss surface and rounded corners. Has text on both sides 0096.11 - Small purple Rules of Engagement card with a gloss surface and rounded corners. Has text on both sides 0096.12 - White piece of paper torn from a spinal notebook with written text in blue and red ink. (Not pictured) 0096.02 - UNESCORTED / WEAPONS AUTHORISED / CELL PHONE ALLOWED / BATTY / TF-66 / VALID UNTIL 5 DECEMBER 2012. 0096.03 - 03-MAR-74 / BATTY DAMIEN / OF-3 Back 0096.04 - ADAGOLD / AVIATION PTY LTD / FROM SYDNEY / TO MIHAD MILITARY / DATE 05 JUN /1310 / 0096.05 - NHD / 10987 /ADAGOLD / AVIATION PTY LTD / 0096.06 - NHD / 10986 / ADAGOLD / AVIATION PTY LTD / 0096.07 - QUALITY CONTROL / 0096.08 - DAMIEN BATTY / 0096.09 - RESTRICTED / DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE / SEARCH AND DETENTION / OP SLIPPER / (AFGHANISTAN ONLY) / DEC 2010 / 0096.10 - RESTRICTED / DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE / MEAO FORCE PROTECTION / INDIVIDUAL GUIDANCE ON THE USE OF FORCE / APR 2009 / 0096.11 - RESTRICTED / DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE / PURPLE CARD / ORDERS FOR OPERATING FIRE / OP SLIPPER / contents, field notebook holder, identification, united nations

Field notebook holders were not part of kit issue. This holder would have been purchased at a military store for the purpose of carrying personal documentation on the person. Major Damien Batty served in Afghanistan in 2011-2012 with the Bravo Commando Company Group, 2nd Commando Regiment in Uruzgan. The Commandos took part in 20 rotations with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) between 2007 and 2012. During this time they undertook significant combat operations, and were awarded for its actions, the regiment was collectively awarded the Unit Citation for Gallantry and the Meritorious Unit Citation.Field notebook holder in Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU) fabric with three compartments belonging to Major Damien Batty whilst serving with the United Nations in Afghanistan. On the front right side of the top compartment, there is an embroidered Tasmanian Tiger. The top compartment opens to two compartments that contain various identification documents, 0096.2-14. field notebook holder, holder, disruptive pattern camouflage uniform, tasmanian tiger

Major Damien Batty served in Afghanistan in 2011-2012 with the Bravo Commando Company Group, 2nd Commando Regiment in Uruzgan. Major Batty served alongside Said Haim, an Afghan police officer. Australian forces were often involved in mentoring and training Afghan police and army units. According to the letter Major Batty worked with Said Haim on logistics for PRC (Provincial Response Company) Uruzgan. The Commandos took part in 20 rotations with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) between 2007 and 2012. During this time they undertook significant combat operations, and were awarded for its actions, the regiment was collectively awarded the Unit Citation for Gallantry and the Meritorious Unit Citation. This letter is a rare example of first-person correspondence between a member of Australia's Special Forces and a member of the Afghan police force. The letters, both in Arabic and English, are significant for their capacity to illustrate the personal face of the Australian mission in Afghanistan, and to signify the nature of individual relationships between Australian personnel and local reconstruction forces. Two letters, one in Arabic and the second translated into English. Arabic letter is photocopied, English letter is written in blue pen. major damien batty, uruzgan, afghanistan, letter, police, prc, commandos

The history of the No. 2 Independent Commando Company and 2/2 Commando Squadron during World War II – scarce as a 1st edition dated 1986. Having completed its training at Foster, on Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, the 2nd Independent Company was raised and travelled north to Katherine, in the Northern Territory. However, following Japan’s entry into the war, as with the other independent companies that were sent to the islands off Australia, the 2nd was sent to Timor, where it joined the 2/40th Battalion and the rest of Sparrow Force. Sparrow Force divided itself between west Timor, part of the Netherlands East Indies, and east Timor, which belonged to Portugal. The 2/40th Battalion defended the capital of west Timor, Koepang, and the airfield at Penfui. Most of the independent company moved to the airfield at Dili, in east Timor, and the nearby mountains. Portugal was opposed to the stationing of a Dutch or Australian garrison in case this provoked the Japanese, but despite this opposition, on 17 December 1941, elements of the 2nd Independent Company and Dutch troops landed near Dili. On 20 February 1942 the Japanese invaded the island, attacking east and west Timor simultaneously. The 2/40th Battalion held out for three days, but were overrun and were killed or captured. Similarly, the 2nd could not hold the airfield and were also driven back. But they were not captured and instead retreated to the mountains where they conducted a very successful and pursued a guerrilla war against the Japanese which lasted for over a year. Following the capture of Timor, the 2nd occupation the company was listed as “missing”, the company’s signallers were able to build a wireless transmitter, nicknamed ‘Winnie the War Winner’, and on 18/19 April were able to contact Darwin. At the end of May RAN vessels began landing supplies for the Australians on the south coast of east Timor. These supply runs were very dangerous but they allowed the Australians on Timor to continue fighting. In September the guerillas were reinforced with the 2/4th Independent Company. However, this could not go on indefinitely. In August the Japanese lunched a major offensive against the guerrillas and Japanese reprisals against the civilian population of east Timor reduced their support for the Australians. The 2nd (now named the 2/2nd Independent Company) and 2/4th were withdrawn in December and January 1943 respectively. Although the 2/2nd Independent Company is best known for its time on Timor, it also saw extensive service in New Guinea and New Britain. The independent company reformed at the army’s training centre at Canungra, Queensland, where it was reinforced and reequipped. The company then moved to the Atherton Tableland, where it briefly became part of the 2/6th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment. Due to this reorganisation, in October, the 2/2nd Independent Company was renamed the 2/2nd Cavalry (Commando) Squadron. This name was later simplified to just commando squadron. When this happened though, the 2/2nd was back in action. In June 1943 the 2/2nd sailed from Townsville for Port Moresby and was subsequently flown to Bena Bena, in the Bismark Range in New Guinea’s highlands. Here they supported the 2/7th Independent Company in patrolling the Ramu River area. In the second week of July the 2/2nd moved into position, with its headquarters at Bena Bena and with its platoons’ occupying neighbouring positions. By the end of the month their patrols were skirmishing with the Japanese. The 2/2nd remained in New Guinea until October 1944. After 90 days leave, the squadron reformed at Strathpine in Queensland before sailing to New Britain in April 1945. The 2/2nd landed at Jacquinot Bay on 17 April. The squadron then moved to Wide Bay, in order to support the 13th Brigade of the 5th Division, and was based at Lamarien. Following Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the ranks of the squadron thinned quickly as men were discharged or transferred to other units. For those who were left, they returned to Australia and in early 1946 the 2/2nd Commando Squadron was disbanded. Includes Nominal Roll Soft Cover without Dust Jacket – 270 pages