DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 370/10
Saturday, 22 August 2010
Statement from the family of Private Grant Kirby
The following statement has been released at the request of the family of Private Grant Kirby
who, with Private Tomas Dale, was tragically killed in action when an Improvised Explosive
Device was detonated while they were on patrol in Afghanistan.
Grant was part of a close and loving family, father Gary and mum Dianne, brothers Shaun
and Luke, sister Lauren, and former wife Edwina and their two daughters Isabella (10) and
Madeleine (8).
“While Grant and I were no longer married, he was very much a part of our family,” said
Edwina, “he was a dedicated father and my very close friend.”
“Grant was always there for our girls and was totally involved in their sports and school
events when he was not deployed.”
Edwina said Grant was an incredibly honourable person who had an immense amount of
pride in his job serving the country.
Grant’s father Gary said that his son had always been keen to be in the Army.
“In fact after suffering shin splints in his first attempt to join, he stuck with it and successfully
tried again.”
“He was very passionate about health and fitness and kept himself in very good shape,” Gary
said.
“Grant was one of the boys,” said his sister Lauren, “and being older was often called ‘Dad’
by the boys in his unit.
“He was a role model at times and often a mentor to them.”
Gary said the family was incredibly proud of Grant and it will take time to come to terms with
his loss. The family would be grateful for privacy to enable them to grieve and will not be
making further comment at this time.
Media Note:
Further information: Paul Lineham, Defence Public Affairs - 07 3233 4210 or 0408 972
329
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