DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Coordination and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
CPA 115/08
Saturday, 3 May 2008
LANCE CORPORAL JASON MARKS RETURNS HOME
Lance Corporal Jason Marks was returned to Australia today, met by family, friends and
colleagues in an emotional ceremony held at RAAF Base Richmond, NSW.
An honour guard and bearer party of soldiers from the 4th Battalion, The Royal Australian
Regiment Commando, the regiment in which Jason proudly served, received and carried the
casket from the aircraft to his family.
The ramp service was the family’s first opportunity to be with Jason since his tragic death in
Afghanistan where he was serving as part of the Special Operations Task Group.
Jason’s family and closest friends were present for the solemn ceremony. The private
occasion allowed those close to Jason to pay their personal respects to this much loved and
dedicated soldier.
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP; the Shadow Minister for Defence
Science and Personnel, the Hon. Bob Baldwin MP, representing the Shadow Minister for
Defence; and the Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, attended the
ceremony.
The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy, and Commander Australian Special
Forces, Major General Tim McOwan, were also in attendance and paid tribute to Lance
Corporal Marks on behalf of the Australian Army.
“We in the Army extend our heartfelt sympathies to Jason’s family during this difficult time,”
said Lieutenant General Leahy.
“We are proud of him and the service he gave to his country. He has made the ultimate
sacrifice and we will miss him.”
Major General McOwan described Lance Corporal Marks as a remarkable soldier who was
extremely dedicated to his role as a Commando and Australian soldier.
“Jason epitomized what every Commando strives for: courage, strength and determination.
He certainly had a strength of character that set him apart. Jason was an extremely well liked
man and his loss will be keenly felt throughout his unit and the wider Army.”
The family continues to request that the media respects their privacy as they grieve their loss
and prepare to lay Jason to rest.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
