Vale SPR Jamie Larcombe - ADF
My brothers unit suffered another KIA last night. Sapper Jamie Larcombe was KIA during an insurgent ambush in the Maribad Valley.
Australian soldier Jamie Ronald Larcombe killed in Afghanistan, but Julia Gillard remains committed | Herald Sun
R.I.P. Warrior
AAPT - THE family of slain South Australian sapper Jamie Ronald Larcombe say he was loved by all who knew him.
The 21-year-old combat engineer and an Afghan interpreter were shot dead by insurgents while on patrol in the Mirabad Valley, south-east of Patrol Base Wali, on Saturday night (AEDT).
He is the 23rd digger killed in Afghanistan since 2002 and was part of the same Darwin-based unit which only last week farewelled Corporal Richard Edward Atkinson who died on February 2.
Spr Larcombe, who was halfway through his first tour of Afghanistan, is survived by his parents, three younger sisters and girldhfriend Rhiannon Penhall
"His life ambition was to serve his country," the family said in a statement on Sunday.
"Jamie was a fun, loving individual who loved life and loved to give where he could.
"A dedicated brother, son and partner, he could always be relied on.
"Anyone who came in contact with Jamie grew to love him for his personality and great sense of humour.
"He was cherished by his local Kangaroo Island community, friends, family and his close Army mates, who are now mourning this great loss."
Spr Larcombe's family said he had been a community-minded person who had been a Country Fire Service volunteer and played for his local footy club.
On a Facebook page set up in Spr Larcombe's memory, his regiment posted: ``Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, girlfriend and friends at this devastating time.
``We are thinking of all our boys in Afghanistan and in the unit.''
Gillard reaffirms Australian committment to Afghanistan mission
AUSTRALIA remains committed to the war in Afghanistan, despite the rising death toll, Julia Gillard says.
"Jamie Larcombe was taking the fight to insurgents," Ms Gillard told reporters in Canberra, noting that the whole nation would mourn his death.
But it's in the nation's interest to remain in Afghanistan, Ms Gillard said.
