Fighting at close range, he stormed two enemy machinegun posts and silenced them. He was awarded the victoria cross for gallantry during the battle in june 2010. Aug 16, 2018 ben robertssmith is a hero, having been awarded the victoria cross, australias highest gallantry award, for his performance on military operations in afghanistan in 2010. Sas soldiers widow criticises bullying of ben robertssmith. His citation reports that, demonstrating extreme devotion to duty and the most conspicuous. Victoria cross for australian soldier who saved his platoon by charging into a hail of bullets when he the broke the cover of a dusty fig orchard. Nov 23, 2018 the case has thrust mr robertssmith back into the spotlight, seven years after he drew national attention when he was awarded the victoria cross australias highest military honour for. Oct 26, 2017 that debate has spilled over on to the pages of newspapers, as a result of masters decision to include some material about australias most decorated soldier, victoria cross winner ben roberts smith. Ben robertssmith interviewed by police over alleged. Dec 21, 2019 former special forces soldier ben robertssmith, who was awarded the militarys highest honour, the victoria cross, for his purported heroism in afghanistan, is now known to be the subject of. Australia day address 2015 by ben robertssmith vc mg. Corporal benjamin robertssmith vc, mg of the special air service regiment was awarded the victoria cross for australia for his gallantry under fire during operations what others are saying australian special forces soldier corporal ben robertssmith receiving his victoria cross this is a real hero. For this action robertssmith was awarded a victoria cross. How wife of sas soldier ben robertssmith fought her own.
The victoria cross vc is the highest and most prestigious award of the british honours system. The awm has adopted ben roberts smith, vc, in particular as its mascot. Vc winner ben robertssmith among subjects of defence. The victoria cross vc is the highest military decoration awarded for valour in the face of the enemy to members of the armed forces. Former defence minister brendan nelson has warned of the consequences of tearing down victoria cross winner ben roberts smith, saying his battlefield honours were awarded only after intense. A recipient of the victoria cross and the medal of gallantry, robertssmith faces allegations that he kicked a prisoner, ali jan, off a small cliff. Victoria cross recipient ben roberts smith placing a wreath.
Top leadership of the australian defence force could come under police investigation for possible breaches of commonwealth law. Its not unaustralian to investigate the actions of. Vc hero ben robertssmith attacks books halftruths perthnow. Aap in a statement to fairfax media sent on wednesday evening, an. Corporal ben robertssmith is our hero home facebook. Corporal benjamin robertssmith recieving the victoria cross. Australias most decorated soldier, ben robertssmith, has urged attorneygeneral christian porter to refer to the australian federal police unfair and baseless articles published to malign his war service because they disclose possible breaches of. Abuse in the australian defence force, roberts smith, defence abuse response task force dear fellow australian electors, this website has nothing to do with the gallant ben roberts smith who was awarded the victoria cross for his gallantry on the battlefield. Ben roberts smith vc, mg the commonwealths most decorated soldier, keynote speaker ben is a recipient of the victoria cross for australia, the medal for gallantry and commendation for distinguished service. He received his victoria cross in 2011 for his gallant selfless actions as an sas soldier on his fifth tour of afghanistan. Members of the elite special air service regiment have been linked to an armed robbery, the theft of weapons, missing classified documents. Australias most decorated soldier ben roberts smith has rejected allegations aired in a nine network report that he had been involved in a war crime.
Aug 12, 2018 victoria cross recipient ben roberts smith wants the australian federal police to investigate fellow special forces soldiers who may have leaked evidence from a defence inquiry relating to his. Corporal ben robertssmith the australian war memorial. Ben robertssmith faces defamation case setback, losing bid. Ben robertssmith vc mg is the commonwealths most highly decorated serviceman from the war in afghanistan. On 11 june 2010, corporal robertssmith again deployed to afghanistan, subsequently being awarded the victoria cross for australia for his.
Please wash your hands and practise social distancing. Ben roberts smith australian army soldier, recipient of the victoria cross for australia. Jan 24, 2011 an investiture ceremony was held at campbell barracks, swanbourne, to award a victoria cross for australia to corporal benjamin roberts smith for his gallantry under fire during operations in. Ben robertssmiths alleged war crimes spark second afp. He joined the australian regular army in 1996 and was posted to the 3rd parachute battalion, royal australian regiment. Australian war hero ben roberts smith said he would not recommend potential recruits to join the armed forces because of the lack of support veterans receive. Id like people to say i met ben roberts smith and hes a great businessman oh, and did you know in 2010 he got a vc. Victoria crosswinning war hero ben robertssmith tells potential. Tele runs with attack on adf top brass but omits roberts. Ben robertssmith to sue fairfax over bullying allegations. This hatchet job is courtesy of the newly minted ninefairfax smear merchants. Aap sources with knowledge of the situation say the victoria cross.
Former special air services soldier ben roberts smith will not be able to force nine newspaper journalists to hand over almost 50 documents they say could reveal their sources. Benjamin robertsmith vc mg the vc and gc association. Meet the ten living recipients of the victoria cross. The heroes who inspired victoria cross recipient ben. Ben robertssmith is the hero australian politicians need to. Benjamin ben robertssmith 1978 was born on the 1st november 1978 in perth, western australia, the son of len robertssmith and his wife sue. Benjamin ben roberts smith, vc, mg born 1 november 1978 is an australian army reserve soldier and a recipient of the victoria cross for australia, the highest award in the australian honours system. Ben robertssmith bio, facts, family famous birthdays. Nov 25, 2014 victoria cross recipient ben roberts smith, olympic swimmer leisel jones and teen cystic fibrosis survivor coen ashton spoke to brisbane students on monday about the decisions they made when.
After completing the requisite courses, he was posted the 3rd battalion, the royal australian regiment where he saw active service in east timor. The extraordinary tale of ben robertssmith intheblack. The victoria cross and the australian war memorial. Corporal benjamin roberts smith was born in perth, western australia, in 1978. Mr robertssmith spent 20 years in the australian defence force from 19962015 and is the countrys most decorated servicemen, having earned. Victoria cross recipient ben roberts smith at remembrance day commemorations at the australian war memorial last month. Benjamin robertssmith received his victoria cross in 2011 for his heroic and selfless actions on his fifth tour of duty in afghanistan, as an sas soldier. Ben robertssmith vc, mg celebrity speakers australia. Corporal benjamin roberts smith vc, mg of the special air service regiment was awarded the victoria cross for australia for his gallantry under fire during operations what others are saying australian special forces soldier corporal ben roberts smith receiving his victoria cross this is a real hero. Vc hero ben robertssmith guest reporter on sevens sunday. The widow of decorated special air service regiment soldier matthew locke, who was killed in afghanistan in 2007, has lambasted those bullying victoria cross recipient ben roberts smith over. At the time, his victoria cross for australia, together with his medal for gallantry awarded for actions during a tour of afghanistan in 2006, made roberts smith the most highly decorated. The countrys most decorated soldier, victoria cross recipient ben robertssmith, has lashed out at the nations defence chiefs for failing to. He said the truth about what happened during a battle in afghanistan and a parliament house dinner in.
He was awarded the medal for gallantry in 2006, a victoria cross in 2010 and commendation for distinguished service in 20. Citation australia army awarded the victoria cross for australia. The australian chatshows host yumi stynes caused controversy when she mocked the intelligence of victoria cross medal recipient ben roberts smith. Victoria cross recipients corporal mark donaldson, corporal ben roberts smith and keith payne pose for photographs after roberts smith was awarded a victoria cross during an investiture ceremony. Australian war hero ben robertssmith said he would not recommend potential recruits to join the armed forces because of the lack of support.
Roberts smith was awarded the vc for his actions during a helicopter assault into tizak on 11 june 2010 as part of an. Vc hero ben robertssmith guest reporter on sevens sunday night. Victoria cross winner ben robertssmith has trouble shouldering the. Court hears what soldier ben robertssmith says happened. Panellist george negus also annoyed viewers by making jokes about the soldiers sexual ability. Victoria cross recipient ben roberts smith has been interviewed by the australian federal police as part of a long criminal investigation into an alleged illegal killing committed during his. Societyculture victoria cross winner ben roberts smith allegations of bad behavior. Ben roberts smith vc mg served with distinction in the australian army and special air service regiment.
Victoria cross for australian soldier who saved his. After being awarded the victoria cross, he became the most decorated officer in service with the commonwealth defense forces. Ben roberts smith, of assaulting her during their sevenmonth affair claims he coached her on how to explain her black eye to her husband. Victoria cross recipient ben robertssmith hits out at new sas book no front line victoria cross recipient ben robertssmith has attacked a new history of australias special forces in afghanistan, saying it is full of halftruths and risks reopening painful wounds for families of dead diggers. His service includes operational deployments to east timor, fiji, iraq and afghanistan. The former mistress of war hero ben roberts smith has landed a series of explosive allegations in the federal court including text messages where she says the victoria cross. Benjamin roberts smith received his victoria cross in 2011 for his heroic and selfless actions on his fifth tour of duty in afghanistan, as an sas soldier. Victoria cross recipient ben robertssmith speaks about. Clarkson examines the history of the victoria cross and follows the story of one of the 1,354 men who were awarded it. He joined the australian regular army in 1996 and was posted to the 3rd battalion, royal australian regiment, with whom he conducted two operational tours of east timor. Court hears what soldier ben robertssmith claims happened. A victoria cross for australia recipient is entitled to use the postnominals vc.
Sas war hero ben roberts smith strongly denies allegations of war crimes. Benjamin robertssmith, vc, mg born 1 november 1978 is an australian businessman, former australian army soldier, and a recipient of the victoria cross for. Australian army soldier corporal ben robertssmith is the second australian and the second member of the special air service regiment to be awarded the victoria cross for australia. Victoria cross recipient ben roberts smith says the articles are defamatory. Former soldier, victoria cross recipient and 2016 australian of the year, ben roberts smith, criticises defence top brass in a daily telegraph article that doesnt mention his. Police question ben robertssmith over afghanistan killing. Victoria cross recipient ben robertssmith former sasr. Victoria cross recipient ben roberts smith has attacked a new history of australias special forces in afghanistan, saying it is full of halftruths and risks reopening painful wounds for. Societyculture victoria cross winner ben robertssmith. Victoria cross recipient ben robertssmith has attacked a new history of australias special forces in afghanistan, saying it is full of halftruths and risks reopening painful wounds for families of dead diggers. Portraits of victoria cross recipient ben robertssmith. He may be the most decorated soldier in australias history and a coveted victoria cross recipient, but mg ben roberts smith revealed a surprising sport he will be glued to during the commonwealth. The medal is designed in the form of a cross pattee. Aug 10, 2018 ben roberts smith vc mg is an executive with channel 7.
In the centre is a lion guardant standing upon saint edwards crown. Anzac gallipoli victoria cross albert jacka vc part1. Awarded the victoria cross for australia corporal benjamin. Former special forces soldier ben roberts smith, who was awarded the militarys highest honour, the victoria cross, for his purported heroism in afghanistan, is now known to be the subject of.
He married emma roberts smith, with whom he had twin daughters named eve and elizabeth. Victoria cross recipient ben robertssmith has attacked a new history of australias special forces in afghanistan, saying it is full of halftruths and risks reopening painful wounds for. Victoria cross recipient ben roberts smith is one of a small number of soldiers subject to investigation by a quasijudicial inquiry looking into the actions of australian special forces soldiers. Ben robertssmiths victoria cross awarded after rigorous. A projection of ben robertssmith during a war memorial announcement. Benjamin robert smith vc mg born and brought up in western australia, ben roberts smith vc mg enlisted in the australian regular army in 1996. Awarded the victoria cross for australia corporal benjamin roberts smith, mg sunday, 23 january 2011 citation for the most conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of extreme peril as a patrol secondincommand with the special operations task group on operation slipper. Corporal benjamin robertssmith enlisted in the australian regular army in 1996.
Check out our resources for adapting to these times. Feb 25, 2017 victoria cross winner ben roberts smith. Australian army soldier corporal ben roberts smith is the second australian and the second member of the special air service regiment to be awarded the victoria cross for australia. Ben roberts smith is used to being held up as a model of bravery and leadership but australias most decorated soldier is now in a battle to save his reputation. Corporal benjamin roberts smith enlisted in the australian regular. The victoria cross recipient is suing three former fairfax newspapers the sydney morning herald, the age and the canberra times over. Benjamin roberts smith, vc, mg born 1 november 1978 is an australian businessman, former australian army soldier, and a recipient of the victoria cross for australia vc, the highest award in the australian honours system. His father is a former lawyer and former justice of the supreme court of western australia, which is the highest ranking court in the australian state of western australia wa. Vc hero ben robertssmith attacks books halftruths nick butterly and sarah martin perthnow victoria cross recipient ben robertssmith has attacked a new history of australias special forces in afghanistan, saying it is full of halftruths and risks reopening painful wounds for. He was awarded the victoria cross and the principle was established that gallant conduct could be rewarded independently of any political consideration of military operations.
Adf ignored vc winner ben robertssmiths anguish the australian. Multiple serving and former defence sources in australia and afghanistan have confirmed that mr roberts smith, a victoria cross recipient, is the subject of the afp inquiry into the brutalisation. Victoria cross recipient ben robertssmith hits out at new. With his wife by his side, victoria cross winner ben robertssmith has given his first detailed response to a series of anonymous allegations against him. While his classmates went into more conventional and. Victoria cross recipient corporal ben roberts smith has spoken of there being no end in sight for the australian defence forces involvement in overseas conflicts during the unveiling of his.
It was previously awarded to commonwealth countries, most of which have established their own honours systems and no longer recommend british honours. Cultural clash on veteran royal commission the canberra. Victoria cross recipient ben roberts smith has categorically denied reports he instigated the execution of an afghan farmer. Victoria cross recipient corporal ben roberts smith reads letters from serving soldiers at the anzac day dawn service at the australian war memorial in canberra. The woman who has accused australias most decorated soldier, ben robertssmith, of assaulting her during their sevenmonth affair claims he coached her on how to explain her black eye to her husband. That debate has spilled over on to the pages of newspapers, as a result of masters decision to include some material about australias most decorated soldier, victoria cross winner ben roberts smith. Jul 06, 2018 victoria cross recipient ben roberts smith is one of a small number of soldiers subject to investigation by a quasijudicial inquiry looking into the actions of australian special forces soldiers. Australias highest military honour awarded for just the second time since the vietnam war. Victoria cross recipient ben roberts smith former sasr is under investigation for kicking handcuffed afghan off small cliff before being executed by another sasr member. Victoria cross recipient ben robertssmith inspires students. Victoria cross recipient ben roberts smith has made a dramatic intervention into the simmering debate, demanding the heads of the australian. Victoria cross hero ben robertssmith categorically denies. Mar 05, 2012 last week the world became a very scary place for television host yumi stynes when she quipped that victoria cross recipient corporal ben roberts smith, looking buffed, ripped and tattooed in a.
Victoria crosswinning war hero ben robertssmith tells. Benjamin roberts smith was invested with his victoria cross for australia by her excellency the governor general of australia, ms quinten bryce ac, at campbell barracks, special air service regiment headquarters, swanbourne, western australia, on the 23rd january 2011. Victoria cross for australians taliban charge yorkshire. Id like people to say i met ben robertssmith and hes a great businessman oh, and did you know in 2010 he got a vc. Thats how id rather be known, not the other way round, he says, explaining that the victoria cross was for what he did in a fleeting moment in time.
More recently, four australian soldiers were awarded the victoria cross in the vietnam war although britain was not involved in the conflict. It is awarded for valour in the presence of the enemy to members of the british armed forces. Nov 14, 2019 former soldier, victoria cross recipient and 2016 australian of the year, ben robertssmith, criticises defence top brass in a daily telegraph article that doesnt mention his alleged war crimes. Ben is a recipient of the highest award in the australian military honours system, the victoria cross for australia, awarded in 2011 for the most. News victoria cross for australians taliban charge standing 6ft 3in tall, australian commando ben roberts smith knew he presented an ample target for enemy machine guns when he broke cover to. Apr 11, 2017 ben roberts smith anzac day message to the noosa dolphins. Ben roberts smith won his victoria cross while serving with the australian sas in afghanistan in 2010. Robertssmith denies war crimes allegation the canberra. Corporal ben roberts smith mg of the special air service regiment was awarded the second victoria cross for australia on 23 january 2011. According to the herald sun, swisse vitamins were the first advertisers to pull out of its sponsorship.
Benjamin roberts smith was born in perth, western australia, in 1978. Mms editor wont comment on this story and let ben roberts smith explain in his own words except to say, you had to be there. Victoria cross recipient mg ben robertssmith looking. Citation australia army awarded the victoria cross for australia corporal ben roberts smith, vc, mg corporal benjamin roberts smith enlisted in the australian regular army in 1996. Corporal roberts smith was awarded the medal for singlehandedly charging and destroying two taliban machine gun positions during the shah wali kot offensive in afghanistan on 11 june 2010. Ben robertssmith is under afp investigation for alleged. Elise pianegonda on the day decorated australian soldier ben roberts smith is. Fairfax hatchet job on ben roberts smith vc mg michael. Victoria cross recipient ben roberts smith at remembrance day commemorations at the australian war memorial last year. Defence leaders under fire over ben robertssmith allegations. Robertssmith received the victoria cross for australia, the highest military honour, for his incredible bravery in that battle in 2010. For valour is a 2003 bbc television historical documentary presented by jeremy clarkson. As one of just 9 living recipients of the vc worldwide and the most decorated soldier in the commonwealth, ben is without a doubt a selfless leader, and his reallife stories provide.
1120 749 816 747 1070 381 1378 24 617 1324 998 1465 1262 990 1187 577 1395 224 1401 261 1010 1388 1466 1448 1062 378 1000 79 927 1409 1043 1498 1403 181 1262 1016