Cameron Baird

Cameron Stewart Baird VC, MG (7 June 1981 – 22 June 2013) was an Australian soldier and posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia. This was the 100th awarding of the medal to an Australian, including earlier awards of the Imperial Victoria Cross.

Early life
Baird was born in Burnie, Tasmania in 1981. Along with his family, he moved to Victoria in 1984 and grew up in Gladstone Park, a north western suburb of Melbourne. Baird was educated at Gladstone Park Secondary College.

Baird was a talented junior Australian rules footballer who played with the Calder Cannons and later played in the Victorian Football League.

Medal for Gallantry
In 2007, Baird was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his actions in a search and clearance operation of a Taliban stronghold.

Victoria Cross
In February 2014, Baird was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia. Baird was killed in operations in Afghanistan in June 2013.

Honours and awards