Australia s most decorated soldier arrested
Discussion
Not sure how many have been aware of this saga: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/07/...
He got the VC a while ago but his reputation isn't what it was. He still got invited to some important national events because of the VC even after things turned sour.
I have heard him described a while back as a 'f
king murderer' (among a few other choice words) by someone who'd be aware of the details. Seemed to stand out even among some of the other off the rails stuff that some got up to.
Sounds like it's finally catching up to him in criminal court.
He got the VC a while ago but his reputation isn't what it was. He still got invited to some important national events because of the VC even after things turned sour.
I have heard him described a while back as a 'f
king murderer' (among a few other choice words) by someone who'd be aware of the details. Seemed to stand out even among some of the other off the rails stuff that some got up to. Sounds like it's finally catching up to him in criminal court.
BikeBikeBIke said:
Always makes me laugh how we all expect our war heroes to be nice guys. He's got an award for people who really, really, really like fighting. He's unlikely to be peaceful, calm and cooperative by nature. (Yes, there will be many exceptions.)
People in the same job think he's a . There's a difference between doing what's necessary and the sort of thing he and a few others (allegedly) did.
Can't get past the paywall, but I've read about him in the past.
For me, he's certainly got a case to answer for, if he's guilty or not. It's the same story for the UK SF Solders accused of simular crimes.
It seems in both cases they were sent to 'kill or capture' certain people and they're accused of killing them whether they were armed or not, or indeed if they were even the people they were ordered to. Obviously when considering the words of people who had family killed they're not the most reliable witnesses, but when it's their own colleagues accusing them, you have to take it seriously.
For me, he's certainly got a case to answer for, if he's guilty or not. It's the same story for the UK SF Solders accused of simular crimes.
It seems in both cases they were sent to 'kill or capture' certain people and they're accused of killing them whether they were armed or not, or indeed if they were even the people they were ordered to. Obviously when considering the words of people who had family killed they're not the most reliable witnesses, but when it's their own colleagues accusing them, you have to take it seriously.
Did he murder lots of people and plant weapons like our SAS appear to have done?
We expect them to stick to the law & ROE, though.
BikeBikeBIke said:
Always makes me laugh how we all expect our war heroes to be nice guys. He's got an award for people who really, really, really like fighting. He's unlikely to be peaceful, calm and cooperative by nature. (Yes, there will be many exceptions.)
We don't expect them to be that at all. We expect them to stick to the law & ROE, though.
MrBogSmith said:
We don't expect them to be that at all.
You reckon? Everyone I know who's met/served with a winner of a serious gallantry award was absolutely shocked to find they were angry, aggressive pricks. I would have been too if I hadn't had that heads up. I'm sure there were many exceptions.If you want a bit of the background https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brereton_Report
Similar to the UK stuff, hardly a surprise given overlap.
Similar to the UK stuff, hardly a surprise given overlap.
BikeBikeBIke said:
MrBogSmith said:
We don't expect them to be that at all.
You reckon? Everyone I know who's met/served with a winner of a serious gallantry award was absolutely shocked to find they were angry, aggressive pricks. I would have been too if I hadn't had that heads up. I'm sure there were many exceptions.From my experience of working with ex-military personal, I would expect them to be relatively normal. I wouldn't expect them to be angry, aggressive pricks
JoshSm said:
If you want a bit of the background https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brereton_Report
Similar to the UK stuff, hardly a surprise given overlap.
Also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Roberts-Smith#De...Similar to the UK stuff, hardly a surprise given overlap.
He sued the media defamation and ended up with a civil judge ruling that four murder allegations were proven on the balance of possibilities. Over 20 current and former SASR soldiers testified against him during the trial.
MrBogSmith said:
pologies, I misread your post.
From my experience of working with ex-military personal, I would expect them to be relatively normal. I wouldn't expect them to be angry, aggressive pricks
I'm sure plenty of normal people get the highest awards bravery in battles, but by definition the people who really like fighting are going to be very heavily represented. The whole point of there awards is that there are recognising exceptional acts, not normal acts. Normal people want to survive rather than press home an attack against a load of Me109s when outnumbered and on fire, or whatever.From my experience of working with ex-military personal, I would expect them to be relatively normal. I wouldn't expect them to be angry, aggressive pricks
BikeBikeBIke said:
Always makes me laugh how we all expect our war heroes to be nice guys. He's got an award for people who really, really, really like fighting. He's unlikely to be peaceful, calm and cooperative by nature. (Yes, there will be many exceptions.)
One of the nicest people I know, who runs various kids and young people's charities is ex SF. Another (sort of SF background) I know also does huge charitable work, runs a successful business and never has a bad word said. They both have incredible personal standards, self discipline and determination. Seems that there can always be a wrong 'un in every walk of life, but let us get the formal court case sorted before I choose to judge folk who I have no idea of the detail about.
POIDH said:
Seems that there can always be a wrong 'un in every walk of life, but let us get the formal court case sorted before I choose to judge folk who I have no idea of the detail about.
If he has done wrong, then he needs to be held to account.Although, it rarely seems that the opposing side are held to account for their actions. For example, the use of children as suicide bombers.
POIDH said:
BikeBikeBIke said:
Always makes me laugh how we all expect our war heroes to be nice guys. He's got an award for people who really, really, really like fighting. He's unlikely to be peaceful, calm and cooperative by nature. (Yes, there will be many exceptions.)
One of the nicest people I know, who runs various kids and young people's charities is ex SF. Another (sort of SF background) I know also does huge charitable work, runs a successful business and never has a bad word said. They both have incredible personal standards, self discipline and determination. Seems that there can always be a wrong 'un in every walk of life, but let us get the formal court case sorted before I choose to judge folk who I have no idea of the detail about.
Slow.Patrol said:
POIDH said:
Seems that there can always be a wrong 'un in every walk of life, but let us get the formal court case sorted before I choose to judge folk who I have no idea of the detail about.
If he has done wrong, then he needs to be held to account.Although, it rarely seems that the opposing side are held to account for their actions. For example, the use of children as suicide bombers.
We uphold our own standards.
Slow.Patrol said:
If he has done wrong, then he needs to be held to account.
Although, it rarely seems that the opposing side are held to account for their actions. For example, the use of children as suicide bombers.
The sAlthough, it rarely seems that the opposing side are held to account for their actions. For example, the use of children as suicide bombers.
t media are doing that now. They call for restraint from Israel and USA. But ask the Iranians to change fk all. They never ask them to stop funding Hamas, launching missiles at Israeli civilians. Creating suicide bombers etc. We actually the other day has the f
king stupid take that the USA should have warned the Iranian Sub they were going to sink it!Stop the world, I want to get off!
BunkMoreland said:
Slow.Patrol said:
If he has done wrong, then he needs to be held to account.
Although, it rarely seems that the opposing side are held to account for their actions. For example, the use of children as suicide bombers.
The sAlthough, it rarely seems that the opposing side are held to account for their actions. For example, the use of children as suicide bombers.
t media are doing that now. They call for restraint from Israel and USA. But ask the Iranians to change fk all. They never ask them to stop funding Hamas, launching missiles at Israeli civilians. Creating suicide bombers etc. We actually the other day has the f
king stupid take that the USA should have warned the Iranian Sub they were going to sink it!Stop the world, I want to get off!
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