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CORPORAL MATHEW HOPKINS RETURNS HOME |
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Tuesday, 24 March 2009 |
Corporal Mathew Hopkins was returned to Australia today to be met by family and colleagues in a touching ceremony at RAAF Base Williamtown in Newcastle.
In a solemn and dignified ceremony, soldiers from Mathew’s 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, formed a Guard and Bearer Party on the tarmac where they met the C-17 Globemaster aircraft and carried the casket to a private room.
The private occasion allowed those close to Corporal Hopkins to pay their personal respects.
The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Minister for Defence; the Hon Bob Baldwin MP, Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel representing the Shadow Minister for Defence; The Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston; The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie; and Commander 1st Brigade, Brigadier Michael Krause were all in attendance.
Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston extended his heartfelt sympathy to Corporal Hopkins’ wife, son, family and friends.
“We will keep the memory of Mathew in our hearts, and we will also continue to keep the many soldiers currently on deployment in our thoughts and prayers,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
Lieutenant General Gillespie described Corporal Hopkins as a professional and dedicated soldier who was a valued member of the Australian Army.
“Those who gathered to receive Mathew today will always remember what he sacrificed in serving the nation. He is an inspiration to us all, and his loss has been felt by all members of the Army family,” said Lieutenant General Gillespie.
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