Dear Mr Turnbull,

Please don't watch this with children around - but watch it.  And think about whether the people who did this had Twitter accounts or websites.   Think about whether the people dropping from the sky were worried about the contents of your capability stocktake, the stuff you tell us is important.

The Islamist movement you'd have us believe is weak, the one with more Twitter accounts than rifles - well it did this with a dozen men armed with Stanley knives.

Each Australian on the Roll of Honour was killed in action against Islamic terrorists.  

None was killed by Twitter.

Who amongst them do you say was killed in a battle with a weak enemy?

• Sergeant Andrew Russell, SASR, died of wounds sustained when his patrol vehicle struck an anti-tank mine on 16 February 2002.
• Trooper David Pearce, 2/14 LHR QMI, was killed when his ASLAV was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device on 8 October 2007.
• Sergeant Matthew Locke MG , SASR, was killed by Taliban insurgent small-arms fire on 25 October 2007.
• Private Luke Worsley, 4RAR (Cdo), was killed by Taliban insurgent small-arms fire on 23 November 2007. 
• Lance Corporal Jason Marks, 4RAR (Cdo), was killed by Taliban insurgent small-arms fire on 27 April 2008.
• Signaller Sean McCarthy, SASR, was killed when the vehicle he was travelling in was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device on 8 July 2008.
• Lieutenant Michael Fussell, 4RAR (Cdo), was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device during a dismounted patrol on 27 November 2008.
• Private Gregory Sher, 1st Commando Regiment, was killed in a rocket attack on 4 January 2009.
• Corporal Mathew Hopkins, 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, was killed during an engagement with the Taliban on 16 March 2009.
• Sergeant Brett Till, Incident Response Regiment, was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device during a route clearance task on the 19 March 2009. 
• Private Benjamin Ranaudo, 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment was killed as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device on 18 July 2009.
• Sapper Jacob Moerland, 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment was killed as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device strike on 7 June 2010.
• Sapper Darren Smith, 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment died of wounds sustained during an Improvised Explosive Device strike on 7 June 2010.
• Private Timothy Aplin, 2nd Commando Regiment died as a result of a helicopter crash on 21 June 2010.
• Private Scott Palmer, 2nd Commando Regiment died as a result of a helicopter crash on 21 June 2010.
• Private Benjamin Chuck, 2nd Commando Regiment died of wounds sustained in a helicopter crash on 21 June 2010.
• Private Nathan Bewes, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment was killed as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device on 9 July 2010.
• Trooper Jason Brown, SASR, died as a result of gunshot wounds sustained in an engagement with insurgents on 13 August 2010.
• Private Tomas Dale, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment was killed as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device strike on 20 August 2010. 
• Private Grant Kirby, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment was killed as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device strike on 20 August 2010.
• Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, was killed during an engagement with insurgents on 24 August 2010.
• Corporal Richard Atkinson, 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, was killed as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device strike on 2 February 2011.
• Sapper Jamie Larcombe, 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, was killed during an engagement with insurgents on 19 February 2011.
• Sergeant Brett Wood MG DSM, 2nd Commando Regiment, was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device during a dismounted patrol on 23 May 2011.
• Lance Corporal Andrew Jones, 9th Force Support Battalion, died of wounds as a result of a small-arms fire incident on 30 May 2011.
• Lieutenant Marcus Case, 6th Aviation Regiment, died of wounds sustained in a helicopter crash on 30 May 2011.
• Sapper Rowan Robinson, Incident Response Regiment, died as a result of gunshot wounds sustained in an engagement with insurgents on 06 June 2011.
• Sergeant Todd Langley, 2nd Commando Regiment, was killed during an engagement with insurgents on 4 July 2011
• Private Matthew Lambert, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, died of wounds as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device strike on 22 August 2011.
• Captain Bryce Duffy, 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, was killed as a result of a small-arms incident on 29 October 2011.
• Corporal Ashley Birt, 6th Engineer Support Regiment, was killed as a result of a small-arms incident on 29 October 2011.
• Lance Corporal Luke Gavin, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment died of wounds as a result of a small-arms incident on 29 October 2011.
• Sergeant Blaine Flower Diddams MG, from the Special Air Service Regiment was killed during a small arms engagement with insurgents on 02 July 2012.
• Sapper James Martin, 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment was killed as a result of a small-arms incident on 29 August 2012.
• Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic, 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (QMI), was killed as a result of a small-arms incident on 29 August 2012.
• Private Robert Poate, 6th Battalion RAR was killed as a result of a small-arms incident on 29 August 2012.
• Private Nathanael Galagher, 2nd Commando Regiment was killed in a helicopter crash on 30 August 2012.
• Lance Corporal Mervyn McDonald, 2nd Commando Regiment was killed in a helicopter crash on 30 August 2012.
• Corporal Scott Smith, Special Operations Engineer Regiment, was killed as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device on 21 October 2012. 
• Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird, VC, MG, 2nd Commando Regiment, was killed by small arms fire during an engagement with insurgents on 22 June 2013.

The Victoria Cross is the nation's highest honour, ranking above all others.   It is rarely awarded.

Do these men wear the Victoria Cross because they had a weak enemy?

Was this man killed by your weak, more Twitter than weapons easy-beats Malcolm?

The man in the coffin is more man than you or your speech writer Waleed Sophisticated Cosmopolitan Aly will ever be.

The man in the coffin wasn't killed by EasyBeat Nothing-To-Do-With-Islam criminals acting alone.   He was killed in action against Islamist terrorists.   Who want us dead.

Let's make sure the late Cameron Baird VC MG didn't die in vain.  

Oh, Waleed you don't know who he is?   I'd imagine you probably didn't move in Cameron's circles.

Cameron truly had nothing to do with Islam.  Except for getting killed because of it.

Lest We Forget.

Personal details of Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird VC MG

Corporal Baird was a member of the Special Operations Task Group and was from the 2nd Commando Regiment based at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney, New South Wales.

Corporal Baird is survived by his parents and his brother.

Corporal Baird was born in Burnie, Tasmania, in 1981. He joined the Army in January 2000 and upon completion of his initial employment training was posted to the then 4th Battalion (Commando), Royal Australian Regiment, now the 2nd Commando Regiment, in February 2000.

Corporal Baird was an outstanding special forces soldier. He exemplified what it meant to be a commando, living by the attributes of uncompromising spirit and honour, which in turn earned him the unconditional respect of his fellow commandos. His leadership in action was exemplary, constantly inspiring those around him to achieve greater things. Corporal Baird was an extremely dedicated and disciplined soldier, always striving for excellence in everything he did.

Corporal Baird died how he lived - at the front, giving it his all, without any indecision. He will forever be remembered by his mates and the soldiers he served with in the 2nd Commando Regiment.

Corporal Baird has been awarded the following honours and awards 

• Victoria Cross for Australia
• Medal for Gallantry
• Australian Active Service Medal with 'East Timor', 'Iraq 2003' and International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT) clasps
• Afghanistan Medal
• Iraq Medal
• Australian Service Medal with 'Counter Terrorism / Special Recovery (CT/SR)' clasps
• Australian Defence Medal
• United Nations Medal with Ribbon United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor
• NATO Meritorious Service Medal
• NATO Non-Article 5 Medal with 'International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)' and multi-tour indicator '3'
• Meritorious Unit Citation - Task Force 66 (Special Operations Task Group), Afghanistan
• Infantry Combat Badge
• Returned from Active Service Badge.

During Corporal Baird's service in the Australian Army he deployed on the following operations:

• Operation TANAGER (Timor-Leste) - April 2001 - October 2001
• Operation BASTILLE (Iraq) - February 2003 - March 2003
• Operation FALCONER (Iraq) - March 2003 - May 2003
• Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) - August 2007 - January 2008
• Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) - March 2009 - July 2009
• Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) - July 2011 - February 2012
• Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) - February 2013 - June 2013.

Australian Army
To be awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia (posthumous)
Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird MG

For the most conspicuous acts of valour, extreme devotion to duty and ultimate self-sacrifice at Ghawchak village, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, as a Commando Team Commander in Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER.

Corporal Cameron Baird enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in 2000, was discharged in 2004, and re-enlisted in 2006. In both periods of service, he was assigned to the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Commando). His operational service includes Operations TANAGER, FALCONER, BASTILLE and five tours on Operation SLIPPER. He was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his service in Afghanistan in 2007-08.

On 22 June 2013, a Commando Platoon of the Special Operations Task Group, with partners from the Afghan National Security Forces, conducted a helicopter assault into Ghawchak village, Uruzgan province, in order to attack an insurgent network deep within enemy-held territory. Shortly after insertion, Corporal Baird's team was engaged by small arms fire from several enemy positions. Corporal Baird quickly seized the initiative, leading his team to neutralise the positions, killing six enemy combatants and enabling the assault to continue.

Soon afterwards, an adjacent Special Operations Task Group team came under heavy enemy fire, resulting in its commander being seriously wounded. Without hesitation, Corporal Baird led his team to provide support. En route, he and his team were engaged by rifle and machine gun fire from prepared enemy positions. With complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Baird charged towards the enemy positions, supported by his team. On nearing the positions, he and his team were engaged by additional enemy on their flank. Instinctively, Corporal Baird neutralised the new threat with grenades and rifle fire, enabling his team to close with the prepared position. With the prepared position now isolated, Corporal Baird manoeuvred and was engaged by enemy machine gun fire, the bullets striking the ground around him. Displaying great valour, he drew the fire, moved to cover, and suppressed the enemy machine gun position. This action enabled his team to close on the entrance to the prepared position, thus regaining the initiative.

On three separate occasions Corporal Baird charged an enemy-held building within the prepared compound. On the first occasion he charged the door to the building, followed by another team member. Despite being totally exposed and immediately engaged by enemy fire, Corporal Baird pushed forward while firing into the building. Now in the closest proximity to the enemy, he was forced to withdraw when his rifle ceased to function. On rectifying his rifle stoppage, and reallocating remaining ammunition within his team, Corporal Baird again advanced towards the door of the building, once more under heavy fire. He engaged the enemy through the door but was unable to suppress the position and took cover to reload. For a third time, Corporal Baird selflessly drew enemy fire away from his team and assaulted the doorway. Enemy fire was seen to strike the ground and compound walls around Corporal Baird, before visibility was obscured by dust and smoke. In this third attempt, the enemy was neutralised and the advantage was regained, but Corporal Baird was killed in the effort.

Corporal Baird's acts of valour and self-sacrifice regained the initiative and preserved the lives of his team members. His actions were of the highest order and in keeping with the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.

Australian Army
Awarded the Medal for Gallantry
Lance Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird

For gallantry in action during close quarters combat in Afghanistan on Operation SLIPPER.

Lance Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird was part of a Commando Company mission assigned for clearance and search of a Taliban stronghold in November 2007. During the initial phase of the clearance, Lance Corporal Baird's Platoon came under heavy fire and during the ensuing close-range fire-fight, a member of his team was mortally wounded. Displaying complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Baird led other members of his team forward under heavy fire from machine guns and assault rifles to recover the wounded team member back to a position of cover.

He then re-entered the compound and continued to engage the enemy. Even though under constant fire, Lance Corporal Baird continually moved amongst his team members coordinating their fire, and throwing grenades to neutralise the enemy machine gun positions. Once the close quarter battle had been won, Lance Corporal Baird again led his team forward and began room-to-room clearance, where he was again engaged by several enemy. Lance Corporal Baird continued to lead the fight, killing several enemy and successfully completing the clearance.

Throughout the action, Lance Corporal Baird displayed conspicuous gallantry, composure and superior leadership under fire. He was personally responsible for killing several enemy combatants during the clearance, ensuring the momentum of the assault was maintained, and undoubtedly preventing further members of his section from becoming casualties. His performance and his actions were of the highest order and were in the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.

Statement from the family of Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird VC MG 

Defence releases the following statement on behalf of the family of Corporal Cameron Baird.

The family of Corporal Cameron S Baird, VC, MG, would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support, and condolences that they have received during this time of grief. The support received from family, friends, the 2nd Commando Regiment, the Australian Defence Force and Australian Football League has been deeply appreciated. They wish to thank everyone for respecting their privacy during this time.

Statement from the family of Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird VC MG

Defence releases the following statement of behalf of the family of Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird, VC, MG.

Our dear Cameron, who was also known as Cam/Baird, loved his family, the 2nd Commando Regiment and serving in the Australian Army, but it was only one part of what made the man. 

Cameron was born in Burnie, Tasmania, on 7 June 1981. He moved back to Victoria in late 1984 with his parents and brother. It was while Cameron lived in Victoria that he conducted his primary and secondary education, completing his VCE. It was also during this period, he combined with his schooling, his sporting career that included anything with a bat, ball and athletics. 

Cam was not one to spend loads of money on extra kit; he was always the one who would demonstrate his professionalism through his actions, utilising issued equipment and always leading from the front to inspire all around him. Everyone always looked up to Cam and everyone would always gravitate to him. He always went to the extreme to ensure that the ones he loved knew they were appreciated and he could always be relied upon to give a helping hand.

Cam was a very humble man and a straight shooter, who told you what he thought but never held a grudge. We never heard Cam say a bad thing about anyone. He had an enormous love for his family which was apparent to all that knew him.

The constant professional with an easygoing personality would be the perfect way to describe Cam. Nothing was a problem for him. Cam lived for the moment and enjoying getting in his Hot Rod of a weekend and going for a drive with his favourite AC/DC track blasting. You would always know when Cam was around, as he had an enormous boisterous laugh that would echo for miles. 

It speaks volumes about Cam that he'd reached his ultimate career goal of joining the 2nd Commando Regiment, making it to the rank of Corporal and becoming a Team Commander within the Regiment. He did not ever ask for responsibility nor demand respect, but forged it through his comrades and ability to push through the odds and bring his team out the other side of an operation. 

We will miss Cam's caring, loving and honest ways and he will always be a hero to all of our family. 

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Cameron's friends, relatives, members of his beloved 2nd Commando Regiment brothers, the Australian Defence Force, the AFL and NRL as well as Virgin Australia Airlines and the general public, for the overwhelming amount of cards, flowers, condolences and support.

Kind regards,

The Baird Family