Private Gregory Sher Funeral, Melbourne
11 January 2009
Family, friends and colleagues gathered at Melbourne’s Chevra Kadisha Cemetery at Lyndhurst, Victoria, for the funeral of Private Greg Sher, who was tragically killed in Afghanistan on 4 January, 2009.
Private Sher, who was a member for the Sydney-based 1st Commando regiment, was killed in a rocket attack in the Oruzgan Province.
His coffin, draped in an Australian flag, was taken to the cemetery aboard an Australian Army gun-carriage, escorted by a bearer party and honour guard, comprising his mates from his unit and other Special Forces soldiers.
At the request of the Sher family, the Prime Minister, the Hon. Kevin Rudd MP, spoke at the service and paid respect on behalf of the nation to Private Sher’s dedication and service to Australia and its people.
Private Sher’s partner and brothers also spoke, describing him as a man who overcame his fears to achieve all that he had in his life.
A volley of shots was fired by a firing party, which was composed of members of Private Sher’s first Army Reserve Unit, 5/6 Royal Victorian Regiment, before he was finally laid to rest by family and friends.
In addition to the Prime Minister, the service was attended by Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard MP; Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP; Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP; Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, the Hon. Peter Lindsay MP, (representing Shadow Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon. David Johnston MP).
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- The father of Private Greg Sher shovels earth on top of his sons coffin during the the burial ceremony at Melbournes Chevra Kadisha Cemetery at Lyndhurst.
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- A photograph of Private Greg Sher with his medals, beret and 1st Commando Company plaque shortly before his funeral at Melbournes Chevra Kadisha Cemetery at Lyndhurst.
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- The Prime Minister, the Hon. Kevin Rudd MP, offers his condolences to the parents of Private Greg Sher prior to the funeral at Melbournes Chevra Kadisha Cemetery at Lyndhurst.
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- Special Forces soldiers escort Private Greg Sher’s coffin aboard a gun carriage as it makes its way through an honour guard of family, friends and ex-serving special forces personnel at Melbournes Chevra Kadisha Cemetery at Lyndhurst.
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- Special Forces soldiers prepare to remove Private Greg Sher’s coffin from the gun carriage before the funeral service held at Melbournes Chevra Kadisha Cemetery at Lyndhurst.
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- Dignitaries in attendance at Private Gregory Shers funeral at Melbournes Chevra Kadisha Cemetery at Lyndhurst
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- Specials Forces soldiers prepare to lift Private Greg Sher’s coffin off the gun carriage prior to being laid to rest at Melbournes Chevra Kadisha Cemetery at Lyndhurst.
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- Special Operations Commander Australia, Major General Tim McOwan presents the father of Private Greg Sher with his medals, beret and the Australian National Flag which covered his coffin during the funeral at Melbournes Chevra Kadisha Cemetery at Lyndhurst.
In Memory of Greg Sher 