Cameron Baird

Cameron Stewart Baird, (7 June 1981 – 22 June 2013) was a soldier in the Australian Army who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, the highest award in the Australian honours system. Baird was the fourth person to receive the Victoria Cross for Australia during Operation Slipper.

Early life Baird was born in Burnie, Tasmania, on 7 June 1981, the son of Kaye and Doug Baird, a former Carlton Football Club player who, at the time, was coaching the Cooee Football Club. In 1984, Cameron, his parents and older brother Brendan, moved to Victoria and grew up in Gladstone Park, a north western suburb of Melbourne. Baird was educated at Gladstone Views Primary School before completing his Victorian Certificate of Education at Gladstone Park Secondary College.

Military career Baird joined the Army in January 2000 and upon completion of his initial employment training was posted to the then 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Commando), now the 2nd Commando Regiment, in February 2000. After being discharged in 2004, Baird re-enlisted in 2006 and in both periods of service, he was assigned to the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Commando).

Military operations During Corporal Baird's service in the Australian Army, he deployed on the following operations: Operation TANAGER (Timor-Leste) – April 2001 – October 2001 Operation BASTILLE (Iraq) – February 2003 – March 2003 Operation FALCONER (Iraq) – March 2003 – May 2003 Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) – August 2007 – January 2008 Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) – March 2009 – July 2009 Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) – July 2011 – February 2012 Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) – February 2013 – June 2013.

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. For gallantry in action during close quarters combat in Afghanistan on Operation SLIPPER.Lance Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird was part of a Commando Company mission assigned for clearance and search of a Taliban stronghold in November 2007. During the initial phase of the clearance, Lance Corporal Baird's Platoon came under heavy fire and during the ensuing close-range fire-fight, a member of his team was mortally wounded. Displaying complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Baird led other members of his team forward under heavy fire from machine guns and assault rifles to recover the wounded team member back to a position of cover.He then re-entered the compound and continued to engage the enemy. Even though under constant fire, Lance Corporal Baird continually moved amongst his team members coordinating their fire, and throwing grenades to neutralise the enemy machine gun positions. Once the close quarter battle had been won, Lance Corporal Baird again led his team forward and began room-to-room clearance, where he was again engaged by several enemies. Lance Corporal Baird continued to lead the fight, killing several enemies and successfully completing the clearance.Throughout the action, Lance Corporal Baird displayed conspicuous gallantry, composure and superior leadership under fire. He was personally responsible for killing several enemy combatants during the clearance, ensuring the momentum of the assault was maintained, and undoubtedly preventing further members of his section from becoming casualties. His performance and his actions were of the highest order and were in the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.

Victoria Cross for Australia

Doug and Kaye Baird and the Governor of Tasmania unveiling a memorial plinth in Burnie.

In February 2014, Baird was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia.

Legacy

The ‘Baird, VC MG Trophy’ is named for CPL Cameron Baird, and is awarded to the Most Outstanding Soldier in each Platoon at the completion of Australian Army Basic (Recruit) Training, which takes place at the 1st Recruit Training Battalion - the Home of the Australian Soldier.

The Most Outstanding Soldier trophy is awarded to the recruit who has achieved above average results in all aspects of recruit training, and has demonstrated beyond reproach the qualities of loyalty, teamwork, integrity, honour and dedication to duty. CPL Baird himself was a former recipient of this Award upon the completion of his own Recruit Training in February 2000.

Baird's portrait appears on a 70c Australian postage stamp, in the 2015 'Australian Legends' series. The other four stamps in the series, also all 70c denominations, feature other VC recipients.

With the support of Baird's parents, Baird's image was used for the 2023 ANZAC Day jersey for the Gold Coast Titans.

Honours and awards