Defence has released the name of the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) soldier killed in action in Afghanistan this week.
He was father-of-two Blaine Diddams.
Sergeant Diddams was killed in Afghanistan on Monday morning local time after his patrol was dropped by helicopter in pursuit of an insurgent.
He was shot in the chest and died at a medical facility in Tarin Kowt, despite wearing combat body armour.
Sgt Diddams, known as ‘Didds’ to his mates, was a devoted father of two and family man, as well as a dedicated professional soldier.
“(He was) known for his outwards personality and quirky sense of humour, he was held in the highest regard by his mates and comrades alike,” Defence said in a statement on Wednesday.
Born in Canberra in 1971, Sgt Diddams enlisted in the Army in April 1990 and was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Townsville, Queensland, later that year.
In 1995 he was posted to the elite SASR in Perth after completing the selection course.
Sgt Diddams was on his seventh tour of Afghanistan since 2001 and had deployed previously on four occasions, to Somalia, East Timor and the Solomon Islands.
Highly decorated, Sgt Diddams was awarded a number of honours during his career and served in various operations over his 22 year career.
He is survived by his wife Toni-Ann, their daughter Elle-Lou and their son Henry, his parents Peter and Cate, and siblings Nikki, Sian, Christian and Luke.
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