Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith VC, MG (1978 - )

Ben Roberts-Smith was born in Perth, Western Australia on 1 November 1978. He enlisted in the Australian Army in 1996 and was subsequently posted to the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR). Between 1997 and 2003, he deployed twice to East Timor as part of Australia’s peacekeeping operations.

In 2003, Roberts-Smith successfully completed the rigorous selection process for the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). His first deployment to Afghanistan with the SASR occurred in 2006, where he was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for acts of bravery as a patrol scout and sniper during Operation Slipper.

Over the course of six deployments to Afghanistan, his most notable action occurred during his fifth tour on 11 June 2010. Tasked with locating a senior Taliban commander in Kandahar Province, Roberts-Smith played a pivotal role in an assault on a fortified enemy position. Under heavy fire, he deliberately exposed himself to protect his team, and personally cleared two machine-gun nests in close combat. For this act of extraordinary bravery, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia. His official citation praised his “selfless actions in circumstances of great peril,” which enabled the patrol to seize the initiative and achieve a tactical success.

During his final tour of Afghanistan, Roberts-Smith received a Commendation for Distinguished Service in recognition of his leadership, courage, and mentoring under exceptionally demanding operational conditions.
 

Lieutenant James Rogers VC (1875 - 1961, 86yo)

James Rogers was born in Moama, New South Wales on 2 June 1875. After completing his schooling, he worked on his family’s farm in Heywood, Victoria, and in 1898 joined the Victorian Mounted Rifles.

At the outbreak of the South African War, Rogers enlisted with the 1st Victorian Mounted Infantry Company and deployed to Cape Town in November 1899. Six months later, he transferred to the South African Constabulary. In 1901, near Thaba 'Nchu in the Orange Free State, his unit was ambushed by approximately 60 Boer fighters. During the engagement, Rogers repeatedly braved intense enemy fire to rescue soldiers who had lost their horses, successfully doing so on three separate occasions. For these actions, he was awarded the Victoria Cross on 18 April 1902.

After a short return to Australia, he went back to South Africa as a Lieutenant with the Australian Commonwealth Horse. Rogers later served in the First World War but was evacuated in 1916 after being seriously wounded at Gallipoli. Following the war, he became a grazier in Victoria before retiring to Sydney. He passed away in 1961 at Concord Repatriation Hospital.

 Last Reviewed 06/2025