Matthew Locke (soldier)
Encyclopedia
Matthew Raymond Locke MG
(16 March 1974 – 25 October 2007) is a recipient of the Medal for Gallantry
, awarded for bravery, the third highest award in the Australian honours system
. During Operation Spin Ghar, with his patrol entrusted with setting up an observation post in Tarin Kowt
, Oruzgan province
, the patrol was compromised by militia after a 10-hour foot infiltration up the side of a mountain. Sergeant Locke, without regard for his own personal safety, led a two man team to neutralise the Anti-Coalition Militia in order to protect the patrol from being overrun, and in effect repeatedly exposed himself to intense rifle and machine gun fire. He was awarded the medal in December 2006. Sergeant Locke was on patrol in October 2007 when he was fatally shot by small arms fire from militia.
, New South Wales
, to Norm and Jan Locke, the youngest of six children in a family of two sisters and four brothers. Locke left school at the age of 15 to work for two years in a sawmill, before enlisting in the army at the age of 17. He instantly developed a passion for soldiering. Two of his brothers had also served in the Australian Defence Force
.
on 11 June 1991. He completed Initial Recruit Training at Army Recruit Training Centre, Kapooka, NSW
and commenced Initial Employment Training on 10 September 1991. Locke was posted to the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
. He undertook further training while serving in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps
, and completed various basic courses and became a Small Arms Coach. In November 1997, Locke completed the Australian Special Air Service Regiment
selection course and over the next two years completed 15 specialist programmes ranging from patrolling, demolitions, diving, parachuting, and medical. Locke was subsequently posted to 3 Squadron, Special Air Service Regiment.
Due to the low level of threat perceived in the area, combat body armour was not worn for the mission. Body armour was seen as a hindrance for this particular mission, and due to its design and the location of the attacking force, would not have protected Locke. Locke was evacuated by helicopter, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
A memorial service was held in Perth, Western Australia
. It was attended by the former prime ministers John Howard
and Kevin Rudd
, SAS personnel, and hundreds of mourners including wife Leigh Locke, and son Keegan. Matthew Locke was buried in the Karrakatta Cemetery
.
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Sergeant Locke was awarded
, relatives and Special Operations Commander Australia Major General Tim McOwen were present at the unveiling.
and The Grub Club.
Medal for Gallantry
The Medal for Gallantry is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It recognises acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. The MG was introduced on 15 January 1991, replacing the Imperial equivalent. It is ranked third in the Gallantry Decorations...
(16 March 1974 – 25 October 2007) is a recipient of the Medal for Gallantry
Medal for Gallantry
The Medal for Gallantry is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It recognises acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. The MG was introduced on 15 January 1991, replacing the Imperial equivalent. It is ranked third in the Gallantry Decorations...
, awarded for bravery, the third highest award in the Australian honours system
Australian Honours System
-History:The Commonwealth of Australia, until 1975, used the Imperial or British honours system. Only a handful of peerages were created for Australians, some in recognition of public services rendered in Britain rather than Australia. Some hereditary peers and baronets whose titles derive from...
. During Operation Spin Ghar, with his patrol entrusted with setting up an observation post in Tarin Kowt
Tarin Kowt
Tarinkot or Tarin Kowt is the capital of Orūzgān province in southern Afghanistan in Tarin Kowt District. It is a town of about 10,000 people, with some 200 small shops in the city's bazaar...
, Oruzgan province
Oruzgan Province
Orūzgān or Urōzgān , also spelled Uruzgan or Rōzgān , is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the center of the country, though the area is culturally and tribally linked to Kandahar in the south. Its capital is Tarin Kowt...
, the patrol was compromised by militia after a 10-hour foot infiltration up the side of a mountain. Sergeant Locke, without regard for his own personal safety, led a two man team to neutralise the Anti-Coalition Militia in order to protect the patrol from being overrun, and in effect repeatedly exposed himself to intense rifle and machine gun fire. He was awarded the medal in December 2006. Sergeant Locke was on patrol in October 2007 when he was fatally shot by small arms fire from militia.
Early life
Matthew Locke was born on 16 March 1974 in BellingenBellingen, New South Wales
Bellingen is a small town on Waterfall Way on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It is approximately halfway between the major Australian cities of Sydney and Brisbane...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, to Norm and Jan Locke, the youngest of six children in a family of two sisters and four brothers. Locke left school at the age of 15 to work for two years in a sawmill, before enlisting in the army at the age of 17. He instantly developed a passion for soldiering. Two of his brothers had also served in the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
.
Military career
Locke enlisted in the Australian ArmyAustralian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
on 11 June 1991. He completed Initial Recruit Training at Army Recruit Training Centre, Kapooka, NSW
Kapooka, New South Wales
Kapooka is a suburb in the south west of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.The suburb of Kapooka is home to the Department of Defence's Blamey Barracks from where the Army Recruit Training Centre conducts its operations....
and commenced Initial Employment Training on 10 September 1991. Locke was posted to the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
The 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment was a mechanised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. The battalion was based at Robertson Barracks in Palmerston, Northern Territory and formed part of the 1st Brigade. It was formed in 1973 by linking both the 5th and 7th Battalions of the...
. He undertook further training while serving in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps
Royal Australian Infantry Corps
The Royal Australian Infantry Corps is the parent corps for all infantry regiments of the Australian Army. It was established on 14 December 1948, with its Royal Corps status being conferred by His Majesty King George VI. At her coronation in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II became Colonel-in-Chief of the...
, and completed various basic courses and became a Small Arms Coach. In November 1997, Locke completed the Australian Special Air Service Regiment
Australian Special Air Service Regiment
The Special Air Service Regiment, officially abbreviated SASR but commonly known as the SAS, is a special forces unit of the Australian Army...
selection course and over the next two years completed 15 specialist programmes ranging from patrolling, demolitions, diving, parachuting, and medical. Locke was subsequently posted to 3 Squadron, Special Air Service Regiment.
Death
Locke was leading a six-man foot patrol as a part of Task Force 66 (TF66), armed with standard issue kit, through a dry creek bed amongst high ground area. The patrol came under fire from insurgents, and he was hit from 100m above with a volley of bullets by AK-47 assault rifle fire. Locke was reported to have died instantly as the bullets tore into his chest entering from the shoulder, due to the angle of attack. The SAS patrol was unable to capture the insurgents or return fire as the attackers instantly disappeared from the area.Due to the low level of threat perceived in the area, combat body armour was not worn for the mission. Body armour was seen as a hindrance for this particular mission, and due to its design and the location of the attacking force, would not have protected Locke. Locke was evacuated by helicopter, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
A memorial service was held in Perth, Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
. It was attended by the former prime ministers John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
and Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
, SAS personnel, and hundreds of mourners including wife Leigh Locke, and son Keegan. Matthew Locke was buried in the Karrakatta Cemetery
Karrakatta Cemetery
Karrakatta Cemetery is a metropolitan cemetery in the suburb of Karrakatta in Perth, Western Australia. Karrakatta Cemetery first opened for burials in 1899, with Robert Creighton. Currently managed by the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, the cemetery attracts more than one million visitors each...
.
Honours and awards
Sergeant Locke was awarded
- the Medal for GallantryMedal for GallantryThe Medal for Gallantry is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It recognises acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. The MG was introduced on 15 January 1991, replacing the Imperial equivalent. It is ranked third in the Gallantry Decorations...
, - the Australian Active Service MedalAustralian Active Service MedalThe Australian Active Service Medal is an Australian military decoration. It was authorised 13 September 1988 to recognise prescribed service in warlike operations...
, with the Iraq Clasp and the International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT) Clasp, - the Afghanistan Campaign MedalAfghanistan Medal (Australia)The Afghanistan Medal was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of the Australian Prime Minister John Howard in 2004. The Afghanistan Medal is awarded to Australian defence force personnel who served in or around Afghanistan after 11 October 2001...
, - the Australian Defence MedalAustralian Defence MedalThe Australian Defence Medal is an Australian military decoration which recognises current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who completed an initial enlistment period, or four years service...
, - the United Nations Medal with the United Nations Transitional Administration in East TimorUnited Nations Transitional Administration in East TimorThe United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor provided an interim civil administration and a peacekeeping mission in the territory of East Timor, from its establishment on October 25, 1999 until its independence on May 20, 2002 following the outcome of the East Timor Special...
Ribbon (UNTAET), - the Infantry Combat BadgeInfantry combat badgeThe Infantry Combat Badge is awarded to members of the Australian Army for service as an Infantryman in warlike operations.-History:The ICB was first established in July 1970 for recognition of infantry service in battle or on operations, following the decision of the Military Board in January 1970...
and - the Returned from Active Service Badge.
The Grub Club
The Grub Club, established by Debbie Locke, sister to Matthew Locke, is a not-for-profit organisation set up to assist Afghan children from the Uruzgan Province obtain an education through the supply of resources such as books, paper, pens and pencils.Sgt Matthew Locke MG Bridge
In 2009, a bridge named "Sgt Matthew Locke MG Bridge" was unveiled in the Bellingen Shire by Locke's son Keegan, just north of Raleigh, New South WalesRaleigh, New South Wales
Raleigh is a small town on in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Australia, in Bellingen Shire Council. At the 2006 census, Raleigh had a population of 259. The town is south of Coffs Harbour and Sawtell and north of Nambucca Heads. It is located in Raleigh County and is perhaps...
, relatives and Special Operations Commander Australia Major General Tim McOwen were present at the unveiling.
Sgt Matthew Locke MG Charity Match
Since the death of Matthew Locke, a rugby league charity match has been run every year in memory of him. The match is between the Bellingen Magpies and the Australian Army Rugby Team, funds raised from the charity event go towards Legacy AustraliaLegacy Australia
Legacy is an Australian organisation, established in 1923 by ex-servicemen. The organisation has the aim of caring for the dependents of deceased Australian service men and women. The dependants of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Malayan emergency and Vietnam War deceased are cared for...
and The Grub Club.