DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 291/10
Saturday, 10 July 2010
Private Palmer farewelled in Darwin
Private Scott Palmer has been farewelled in a moving funeral service at Christ Church
Anglican Cathedral in Darwin, followed by a short service at the Robertson Barracks
chapel.
Private Palmer was serving with the Special Operations Task Group when he
tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash, on Monday 21 June 2010. It was his third
deployment to the country.
Family, friends, fellow soldiers and hundreds of the community stood together as one
to farewell Private Palmer as his coffin was marched through the streets of Darwin by
his commando mates.
Family friend John Palmer paid tribute to Scott in a eulogy on behalf of his parents
Ray and Pam and his brother, Adam.
“Scott was truly a product of his parents - the steely resolve of his father and the
compassion of his mother,” John Palmer said.
“He had a unique sense of humility and a way of turning a bad situation into
something bearable. He’s left us with vivid memories and touched us in a unique way.
He’s remembered as a hero, soldier, brother, and son – we’ll miss you mate.”
Commanding Officer of the 2nd Commando Regiment said Scott died doing what he
loved.
“Scott was a warrior, capable, versatile and physically robust; he could save or protect
a life. He was prepared to step into the unknown to make a difference,” Lieutenant
Colonel C said.
One of Scott’s fellow commandos paid tribute to a larrikin, soldier and a mate who
stood out from the crowd.
"As a soldier he was committed, experienced and professional. He loved both the job
and the mates with which he surrounded himself. Those mates, which I was lucky to
be a part of, are one of the closest groups I have come across.”
“May your family know what you meant to us, and take pride in your legacy that will
be with us forever,” said Captain A.
A firing party from the 7th Battalion the Royal Australian Regiment fired a volley of
three shots followed by the Last Post, before the coffin was solemnly marched from
the church.
DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
The funeral for the 27-year-old was attended by several hundred friends, family and
fellow soldiers from the 2nd Commando Regiment as well as the Hon Julia Gillard
MP, Prime Minister; Senator the Hon John Faulkner, Minister for Defence; the Hon
Tony Abbott MP, Leader of the Opposition; the Hon Paul Henderson, Northern
Territory Chief Minister; Dr Ian Watt, Secretary for Defence; Air Chief Marshal
Angus Houston AC AFC, Chief of the Defence Force; Lieutenant General Ken
Gillespie AO DSC CSM, Chief of Army; and Major General Tim McOwan DSC
CSM, Special Operations Commander Australia.
Private Palmer was awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with clasps Iraq,
East Timor and International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT), the Iraq Campaign
Medal, the Australian Defence Medal, the Australian Service Medal with clasp Timor
–
Leste, the Australian Defence Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the
NATO ISAF Medal. PTE Palmer was also awarded the Returned from Active Service
Badge from a previous deployment.
Media note:
Imagery is available at:
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: (02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
