DIDDAMS, Blaine Flower
| Service Number: | 8239384 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 April 1990 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) |
| Born: | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, 16 December 1971 |
| Home Town: | Perth, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | De La Salle College, Tiverton, Victoria; St Columban's College, Albion, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation: | Professional Soldier |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, 4 May 2002, aged 30 years |
| Cemetery: |
Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia Ashes taken by Funeral Director, Casino General Cemetery New South Wales, Australia |
| Memorials: | "The Rock", SASR Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Geraldton Afghanistan Honour Roll, Sale RSL Afghanistan Honour Roll, Two Wells Afghanistan War Memorial, Yungaburra Afghanistan Avenue of Honour |
Afghanistan Service
| 24 Apr 1990: | Enlisted | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Oct 2001: | Involvement Sergeant, 8239384, Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) |
Help us honour Blaine Flower Diddams's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography
Blaine Flower DIDDAMS was born on 16th December, 1971 in Canberra, A.C.T.
His parents were Peter & Cate DIDDAMS.
He enlisted in the Army on 24th April, 1990 and after completing his initial employment training for Infantry was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Townsville, Queensland on 2nd Nov. 1990. He then completed his SASR selection course and was posted to the Regiment in 1995
On 14th Jan, 1995 in Townsville, Queensland he married Toni Ann BENNISON - they had two children
Blaine was Killed in Action on 2nd July, 2012 in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan and was given a Miliary Funeral and then cremation at Karrakatta Cemetery in Western Australia - aged 40 years
Honours & Awards
Medal for Gallantry
Service medals
Australian Active Service medal with Clasp - Somalia, Clasp East Timor, Clasp ICAT
International Forces East Timor (Interfet) Medal
Afrghanistan Campaign Medal
Australian Service Medal with Clasp, Solomon Islands, Clasp CT/SR
Defence Long Service Medal
Australian Defence Medal
NATO ISAF Medal
Meritorious Unit Citation
Infantry Combat Badge
Returned from Active Service Badge
His Medal for Gallanty was awarded for acts of gallantry in action in hazardous cirdumstances as a patrol commander Special Operations Task Group Rotation XV11 on Operation Slipper in Afghanistan on 2nd July 2012
On 2nd July 2012, Sergeant Diddams displayed inspiration leadership and selfless courage in extremely hazardous circumstances. To support his patrol and ensure mission success he knowingly exposed himself to draw fire and lead assaults on insurgent positions. His leadership and selfless acts of gallantry which ultimately cost his life were of the highest order and in keeping with the finest traditions of Australian Special Operations Forces, The Australian Army and the Australian Defence Forces, granted 10th June 2013
FIND A GRAVE -including photos
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=93198572
PHOTO of his Funeral
http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/stories/2012/jul/0714.htm
PHOTO
http://www.defence.gov.au/vale/sgt_diddams/sgt_diddams.htm
LINKS TO STORIES about Blaine with further information
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sas-veteran-blaine-diddams-dies-on-seventh-tour-of-hell/story-e6freuy9-1226416175157?nk=19f8d2dd4e83951721b258104a624876-1435799927
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/queens-birthday-honours/soldiers-kids-already-knew-he-was-a-hero/story-fniq0r66-1226661003010?nk=19f8d2dd4e83951721b258104a624876-1435800404
STORY & PHOTO
http://amvif.com/stcmilitary/Afghanistan%20-%20Blaine%20Diddams/Blaine%20Diddams.htm
IN MEMORIAM
https://www.facebook.com/LegsForLegendsNullarborMTBRide/posts/262336873872961
Click images to start slideshow.