Matthew Locke (soldier)

Matthew Raymond Locke MG (16 March 1974 – 25 October 2007) is a recipient of the Medal for Gallantry, awarded for bravery, the third highest award in the Australian honours system. During Operation Spin Ghar, with his patrol entrusted with setting up an observation post in Tarin Kowt, Oruzgan province, the patrol was compromised by militia after a 10-hour foot infiltration up the side of a mountain. Sergeant Locke, without regard for his own personal safety, led a two man team to neutralise the Anti-Coalition Militia in order to protect the patrol from being overrun, and in effect repeatedly exposed himself to intense rifle and machine gun fire. He was awarded the medal in December 2006. Sergeant Locke was on patrol in October 2007 when he was fatally shot by small arms fire from militia.

Early life
Matthew Locke was born on 16 March 1974 in Bellingen, New South Wales, to Norm and Jan Locke, the youngest of six children in a family of two sisters and four brothers. Locke left school at the age of 15 to work for two years in a sawmill, before enlisting in the army at the age of 17. He instantly developed a passion for soldiering. Two of his brothers had also served in the Australian Defence Force.

Military career
Locke enlisted in the Australian Army on 11 June 1991. He completed Initial Recruit Training at Army Recruit Training Centre, Kapooka, NSW and commenced Initial Employment Training on 10 September 1991. Locke was posted to the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. He undertook further training while serving in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps, and completed various basic courses and became a Small Arms Coach. In November 1997, Locke completed the Australian Special Air Service Regiment selection course and over the next two years completed 15 specialist programmes ranging from patrolling, demolitions, diving, parachuting, and medical. Locke was subsequently posted to 3 Squadron, Special Air Service Regiment.

Death
Locke was leading a six-man foot patrol as a part of Task Force 66 (TF66), armed with standard issue kit, through a dry creek bed amongst high ground area. The patrol came under fire from insurgents, and he was hit from 100m above with a volley of bullets by AK-47 assault rifle fire. Locke was reported to have died instantly as the bullets tore into his chest entering from the shoulder, due to the angle of attack. The SAS patrol was unable to capture the insurgents or return fire as the attackers instantly disappeared from the area.

Due to the low level of threat perceived in the area, combat body armour was not worn for the mission. Body armour was seen as a hindrance for this particular mission, and due to its design and the location of the attacking force, would not have protected Locke. Locke was evacuated by helicopter, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

A memorial service was held in Perth, Western Australia. It was attended by then Prime Minister John Howard and then Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd, SAS personnel, and hundreds of mourners including wife Leigh Locke, and son Keegan. Matthew Locke was buried in the Karrakatta Cemetery.

Honours and awards




Sergeant Locke was awarded:

The Grub Club
The Grub Club, established by Debbie Locke, sister to Matthew Locke, is a not-for-profit organisation set up to assist Afghan children from the Uruzgan Province obtain an education through the supply of resources such as books, paper, pens and pencils.

Sgt Matthew Locke MG Bridge
In 2009, a bridge named "Sgt Matthew Locke MG Bridge" was unveiled in the Bellingen Shire by Locke's son Keegan, just north of Raleigh, New South Wales, relatives and Special Operations Commander Australia Major General Tim McOwan were present at the unveiling.

Sgt Matthew Locke MG Charity Match
Since the death of Matthew Locke, a rugby league charity match has been run every year in memory of him. The match is between the Bellingen Magpies and the Australian Army Rugby Team, funds raised from the charity event go towards Legacy Australia and The Grub Club.