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Global Recon

GRP 96- The Commando: The life and death of Cameron Baird.

Global Recon

John Hendricks

Government

4.8592 Ratings

🗓️ 20 October 2017

⏱️ 122 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

GRP 96-Corporal Cameron Baird is one of Australia’s most highly decorated warriors. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in leading a team of Australian Commando’s assaulting an enemy strong hold on June 22, 2013 in Afghanistan. Author Ben Mckelvey just published the book “The Commando: The life and death of Cameron Baird”. I have Ben on for this podcast alongside former Australian Special Forces operator Eddie Robinson. Cam and Eddie were best friends having grown up in Special Forces together. We talked about the process of writing the book, and Ben sitting down with Cameron’s wonderful parents Doug, and Kaye Baird. Ben and Eddie shared some details from the book and it really gives some insight into a man like Cam who not only was a remarkable warrior, but was also a deep thinker with interest in philosophy and history. Eddie shares a story of a time when they were on patrol in Afghanistan and the children of this particular village were running alongside the vehicle’s probably hoping to get some candy or water. They had nothing left to give them so Eddie decided to hand them bottles of hot sauce. Cam proceeds to tell Eddie this will likely get them into a fight. A few minutes later they got ambushed. LOL 0:00-Episode overview 6:58-History and insight into the Victoria Cross 31:06-Shaping the book “The Commando”. Utilizing the 2nd Commando Regiment in Afghanistan. 35:00-Eddie Robinson’s background in Special Forces and how he met Cam. Ben Mckelvey’s background. 1:08-A story of a time when Cam and Eddie were on patrol in Afghanistan eventually getting ambushed because Eddie gave out hot sauce to kids in the village LOL 1:27:00-” If there’s anyway he could have gone out this is how he would of went. With a hot weapon in his hand”- Eddie Robinson You can get a copy of the book here https://www.hachette.com.au/ben-mckelvey/the-commando Below is the official website of Australia’s 2nd Commando Regiment: http://2commando.gov.au Follow Eddie on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/fast_eddie_079/ Follow Ben McKelvey here: https://www.instagram.com/bennymck/ Follow my co-host and my pages on social media. Links below. Global Recon: www.Globalrecon.net https://www.instagram.com/igrecon https://www.instagram.com/blackopsmatter www.twitter.com/igrecon https://www.facebook.com/GlobalReconPodcast/ HP Lefler: https://www.instagram.com/4runner.freyja Chantel Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/mission_critical https://www.instagram.com/altern8rv Music provided by Caspian: www.caspianmusic.net

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Without warning.

0:01.5

This is the motto of the second Commando Regiment, a special forces unit within the Australian

0:06.4

military.

0:07.6

I have two guests on for this week's podcast, Ben McElvey, the author of the commando,

0:13.0

the life and death of Cameron Beard, and Eddie Robinson, who is a retired second

0:18.1

commando soldier and one of Cameron Beard's closest friends.

0:22.6

Cameron Beard is one of Australia's most highly decorated soldiers as he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

0:29.3

He was killed in the operation for which he received the Victoria Cross on June 22nd, 2013 in Afghanistan

0:37.4

while leading a commandando team against a Taliban

0:40.5

stronghold. In this book, they go through Cameron's early life and then his later life in the

0:47.8

military and give you some details and insight into a man like Cameron Beard. So I hope you guys enjoy this

0:57.5

podcast. I rise to solemnly inform the house in the presence of family and our military chiefs

1:07.1

that the 100th Victoria Cross has been awarded to an Australian.

1:11.6

This award is to the late Corporal Cameron Baird,

1:17.6

already an iconic figure in our army

1:21.6

who had earlier received the Medal of Gallantry.

1:25.6

As the citation reads,

1:29.3

His Victoria Cross is,

1:32.3

for most conspicuous acts of valor,

1:35.3

extreme devotion to duty,

1:38.3

an ultimate self-sacrifice

1:40.3

at Gourchuk Village in Urasgan Province, Afghanistan as a commande team leader.

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