Private Matthew Christopher Lambert - 8506296

Private Lambert was born in Kogarah, NSW in 1985. He joined the Army from southern Queensland enlisting in the 9th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment in August 2005, transferring to the Australian Regular Army in February 2007 and posted to 2RAR in Townsville.

Private Lambert is described as a well respected soldier who excelled in any task he was assigned, and was looking forward to serving his country in Afghanistan.

Private Lambert has been awarded the following honours and awards: Australian Active Service Medal with clasp International Coalition Against Terrorism, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Australian Service Medal with clasp Timor - Leste, Australian Defence Medal and the Timor – Leste Solidarity Medal.

During Private Lambert's service in the Australian Army he deployed on the following operations:

OPERATION ASTUTE (East Timor) - June 2009 – November 2009.

OPERATION SLIPPER (Afghanistan) – June 2011 – August 2011.

A repatriation ceremony has been held at the Amberley RAAF base west of Brisbane for an Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan. Private Matthew Lambert's flag-covered casket was carried off the plane by soldiers from his Townsville-based unit, led by a lone piper. He was then carried through a 2RAR honour guard to his waiting family, including his partner Ellesse, mother Vicki and her partner Gregg, father Chris and his wife Amanda and his sister Jess.

The 26-year-old was seriously wounded by a roadside bomb while on night patrol with the Afghan National Army last week.

He was given immediate first aid and evacuated to the medical centre at Tarin Kot but died from his wounds.

In a short but moving traditional ceremony, Lieutenant General Morrison presented Private Lambert with a number of honours including the Australian Active Service Medal with clasp International Coalition Against Terrorism, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal with clasp, International Security Assistance Force Medal, and the Infantry Combat Badge.

He served in East Timor in 2009 and received a number of military honours. He was on his first deployment to Afghanistan.

Private Lambert will be laid to rest in a private ceremony this week.

Memorial at The Australian War Memorial

Also commemorated at the Afghanistan Avenue of Honour, Yungaburra Qld