Virtual
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Australia

Private LAMBERT joined the Army from southern Queensland enlisting in the 9th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment in August 2005, transferring to the Australian Regular Army in February 2007 and posted to 2RAR in Townsville.

During Private Lambert’s service in the Australian Army he deployed on the following operations:

• OPERATION ASTUTE (East Timor) - June 2009 – November 2009.
• OPERATION SLIPPER (Afghanistan) – June 2011 – August 2011.

Private Lambert was awarded the following honours and awards:

• Australian Active Service Medal with clasp International Coalition Against Terrorism
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• Australian Service Medal with clasp Timor - Leste
• Australian Defence Medal
• the Timor – Leste Solidarity Medal

Matthew Christopher Lambert, known as Matty and Lambo, was born on 23rd January 1985 at Kogarah NSW, the only son and the eldest of 2 children born to his parents Chris and Vicki Lambert.  His sister Jess and he shared a very close relationship growing up in the Lambert home and were inseparable.  

In August 2005 while living in Queensland, Matt enlisted in the Australian Army aged 20.  His service number was 8506296, his rank Private and he was assigned to the 9th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment (RQR).  In February 2007 he transferred to the regular Australian Army and was posted to the 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) based at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville QLD.  He undertook specialist training and qualified as a sniper and joined Combat Team Alpha with 2RAR. 

From June to November 2009 Matt deployed 3 times to East Timor as part of Operation ASTUTE then in June 2011 he deployed to Afghanistan with Mentoring Task Force 3 (MTF-3) as part of Operation SLIPPER.  The Task Force was based at the Multinational Base Kamp Holland located at Tarin Kot. Matt, with 2RAR, was based at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Tinsley.

Combat Team Alpha was operating from a former US Special Forces Base called Forward Operating Base (FOB) Anaconda.  On 22nd August 2011 Matt was on a night patrol on foot in one of the most violent districts in the Khas Uruzgan region about 85 kms north-east of the Multinational Base at Tarin Kot, when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded around 2.30am critically wounding Matt.  His mates performed immediate first aid and he was airlifted to Role 2 Military Hospital at Tarin Kot but sadly he died there of his wounds.  He was 26.

Matt was the first casualty for 2RAR since the Vietnam War, the 8th Australian soldier killed in 2011 and the 29th soldier to die in the Afghanistan War.  The Commanding Officer of MTF-3, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Smith said: “Private Lambert was a highly professional and disciplined soldier.  Private Lambert never failed to impress me with his drive, personal philosophy and professionalism.  The words which best describe Private Lambert are courageous, fit, strong, and disciplined”.  Major General Angus Campbell, Commander of Australian Defence Force personnel deployed to the Middle East said: “Private Lambert was known as a physically and mentally tough soldier.  He had forged an impressive reputation as decisive, dependable, focused on the mission, and ever protective of his mates.  He was known for his even temperament and as a quiet performer but whose efforts did not go unnoticed.  He was the quintessential soldier, a highly trained specialist who was admired and respected.  His loss will not be deeply felt just because of what he did – but because of who he was.  He represents the best aspects of the Australian Army and our Defence Force”.

A Memorial Service was held for Matt at the Multinational Base at Tarin Kot on 25th August 2011.  Following the service Matt was farewelled by his colleagues who lined the road to the airport where his casket was carried up the ramp of a waiting RAAF C-130 Hercules aircraft where some of his mates paid their last respects before he began his journey home to Australia.  Enroute to Australia Matt’s casket was transferred to an Air Force C-17 Globemaster at one of the overseas Australian Bases and that aircraft touched down at RAAF Base Amberley in Brisbane QLD on 29th August 2011.  The casket was carried to a nearby hangar where he was received by his partner Ellesse, his parents Chris and Vicki, sister Jess and other family members.  A Repatriation Service followed at the Base attended by family members and Defence Force personnel. 

On 5th September 2011 a private funeral service was held for Matt.  He was buried at Tamborine Mountain Cemetery. 

Matt is commemorated on the Afghanistan Memorial at Camp “Bonnie Doon” at Al Minhad Air Base, Dubai UAE and also on the Tarin Kot Memorial Wall replica at Corinda QLD.  He is commemorated on panel 1 of the Roll of Honour at The Australian War Memorial in Canberra ACT and on the 2RAR Memorial at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville QLD.  He is commemorated on several other memorials around Australia…Geraldton Afghanistan Honour Roll WA, Sale RSL Afghanistan Honour Roll VIC, Two Wells Afghanistan War Memorial SA, Yungaburra Afghanistan Avenue of Honour QLD and the 42 For 42 Afghanistan War Memorial Garden in Brisbane QLD.  This memorial garden was designed and built by the organisation 42 For 42 which supports veterans and the families of fallen soldiers.  The Memorial commemorates the Australian soldiers who served in Afghanistan, the 41 soldiers who died there and the ones who have been lost through suicide since.  There are Memorial Plaques for all 42.  The garden is located in Brisbane QLD and is flanked by Suncorp Stadium and the Church of Christ.  It was opened on 16th October 2021 and amongst the dignitaries present were Afghanistan veterans Curtis McGrath and Daniel Keighran VC.

There are also several other unusual memorials to Matt.  The Private Matthew Lambert Marksman Training Range in Townsville QLD named in memory of Matt.  The Matty Lambert Memorial Trophy was introduced in 2012 in memory of Matt.  It is presented annually to the best sniper at the Australian Army Skills at Arms Meeting (AASAM).  Trooper David Nicolson served with Matt and Lance Corporal Gavin who was killed on 29th October 2011.  They were the only two soldiers from the Regiment to be killed in Afghanistan.  As a reminder of his time in Afghanistan and as a tribute to his lost mates he has a tattoo on his arm bearing their names.  He shares his story at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra as part of “Ink in the Lines”, an exhibition sharing stories of Australia’s military veterans, through their tattoos. 

The Matthew Lambert Skate Park is located on Harley Street, Shailer Park QLD and was erected in tribute to Matthew.  The Matthew Lambert Gymnasium at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville QLD, was named in memory of Matt.  Todd Kelly, of the Jack Daniel’s V8 Supercars Racing Team, visited the 2RAR in Townsville in July 2012.  He has a unique tribute to Matt and fellow 2RAR comrade Lance Corporal Luke Gavin, being the only 2 soldiers from the regiment to be killed in Afghanistan.  Todd’s car carries their names on the rear windscreen.  The dining facility at FOB Anaconda in Khas Uruzgan is named in honour of Matt and he is beautifully captured in a painting done by Australian artist Jason Swain who started a project called “Portraits of Patriots”.  He has painted a portrait of each of the 41 soldiers who died in the Afghanistan War and presented them to the families of the soldiers. 

Matt was loved very much by all his family and friends and made an impact on anyone who was part of his life.  He was an extraordinary young man with everything, including incredible physical and mental agility.  Matt had a great enthusiasm for living life, generously sharing his time, thoughts and ideas.  He always encouraged and motivated others and was an inspiration to all by walking the talk.  Matt believed the world could be made a far better place and he had a very positive outlook on life.  He had just bought his first home in Townsville and loved to take his treasured motorbike for long rides with friends in the area. 

Around 30,000 ADF personnel served in Afghanistan and 41 died there. Of all the wars in which Australia has been involved, the Afghanistan conflict was the longest, its intensity and its largely hidden cost reflected in the significant number of veterans who have killed themselves since coming home.

Matthew Christopher Lambert was awarded for service in the Afghanistan War the Australian Active Service with clasp International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT). Afghanistan Medal, Australian Service Medal with clasp Timor-Leste, Australian Defence Medal, NATO Medal with clasp International Security Assistance Force Medal, Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal and the Infantry Combat Badge.

Respectfully submitted by Sue Smith 15th April 2024.

Sources

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australian-army-profoundly-changed-by-two-decades-of-war-in-afghanistan/

https://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2011/08/rip-pvt-matthew-lambert-1.html