Luke Gavin

Australian Lance Corporal Luke Gavin, age 27, was killed on October 29, 2011, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when an Afghan army officer turned his gun on his foreign colleagues.

Luke was a member of the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment.

Luke was born in Manly, Australia. He enlisted in the Army in 2004.

Saint Andrew the Apostle,
pray for Luke

On completion of his basic training and initial employment training he was posted as an infantryman to the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, in Townsville in 2005. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in January 2009 and previously did three tours of duty in East Timor before being posted to Afghanistan in June of 2011.

He was a highly-qualified soldier, having completed specialist training as a combat first aider, Pashtu linguist and infantry support weapons operator.

Military officials stated that he was a highly-respected member of the 2nd Battalion and that he was loyal and had a positive attitude. His fellow soldiers were motivated by his professionalism, mateship and outstanding specialist skills. He was also known for being a devoted husband and father.

His honours and awards include the Australian Service Medal with clasp Timor Leste; Australian Defence Medal; Timor Leste Solidarity Medal; Australian Active Service Medal with clasp International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT); NATO Non Article 5 Medal with clasp International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Luke is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his parents Judith and Michael; his wife, Jacky and their three children, Joshua, Holly and Olivia.

Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that Luke Gavin is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen