DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 358/09
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
PERSONAL DETAILS OF SOLDIER KILLED AT CULTANA,
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
It is with great sadness that the Department of Defence announces the tragic death last
night of Lance Corporal Mason Edwards at Cultana, South Australia.
Lance Corporal Edwards, a member of the 2nd Commando Regiment, was part of a
Special Forces night training activity with live ammunition. The activity was
associated with mission specific training for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, extended his deepest
condolences to the family, friends and unit colleagues of Lance Corporal Edwards,
who was a very well-respected soldier.
“I know Mason was a committed and determined soldier; tremendously proud of his
service and his mates with whom he served,” Lieutenant General Gillespie said.
“I can tell you that he considered himself lucky to live in this great country and to
have the love and support of his family and partner.”
Lance Corporal Edwards was awarded the Australian Defence Medal, Australian
Service Medal, Australian Active Service Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign
Medal.
Lance Corporal Edwards deployed to Timor Leste with Alpha Commando Company
in 2006. In May 2007 he deployed on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan with the
Special Forces Task Group. He returned to Afghanistan in June 2008.
The other soldier, from the Incident Response Regiment injured in the incident is in a
satisfactory condition. For privacy reasons, personal details of the injured colleague
will not be released.
Army and the wider Defence community is doing everything it can to assist and
support the families through this very difficult time.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
