DIED IN SERVICE - 20 OCTOBER 2009

LCPL Edwards enlisted into the Australian Army in January 2004 as one of the first members of the Special Forces Direct Recruiting Scheme. After recruit and initial employment training, he successfully completed the Commando Selection and Training Course.

He was posted to the then 4th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (Commando). Throughout his short but extremely busy career, LCPL Edwards proved himself to be a consummate professional. During his tours to Afghanistan he demonstrated considerable mental toughness and physical endurance whilst deployed on combat operations.

LCPL Edwards was awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with clasp International Coalition Against Terrorism, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Australian Service Medal with clasp Timor Leste, the Australian Defence Medal, Timor Leste Solidarity Medal, the NATO medal with International Security Assistance Force clasp, the Infantry Combat badge and the Returned from Active Service Badge.

During LCPL Edwards service in the Australian Army, he deployed on the following Operations:

OPERATION ASTUTE (Timor Leste) - 2006,

OPERATION SLIPPER (Afghanistan) - 2007, and

OPERATION SLIPPER (Afghanistan) - 2008.