Vic: Third soldier killed at Swan Island planned to wed

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2007
Vic: Third soldier killed at Swan Island planned to wed

MELBOURNE, April 13 AAP - The third special forces soldier killed in an Easter crash
near Swan Island in Victoria's south has been named as Corporal David O'Neill, 31, who
had planned to marry in November.

Cpl O'Neill, one of three Special Air Services Regiment soldiers who died when their
rental car plunged into the sea, had served in the world's major trouble spots.

Among his decorations, he had won a United Nations Medal and an Afghanistan Campaign
Medal for his service, which included two tours of duty in East Timor, two in Afghanistan
and one in Iraq.

Victoria Police and the Australian Defence Force are investigating the cause of the
crash, which happened as the three returned early on Monday to the high security Swan
Island military exercise site after a night out in nearby Queenscliff.

The others were Sergeant Craig Linacre, 32, and Corporal Michael McAvoy, 34.

The Department of Defence today issued a statement naming Cpl O'Neill whose identity
had been withheld at the request of his family.

A statement, prepared on behalf of his fiancee Sara Coleby by his Cpl O'Neill's cousin
Simon Legg, described the soldier as a jovial character with an infectious zest for life.

He lived with Ms Cole in Scarborough, Western Australia, and the pair had planned to
marry in the Cook Islands in November.

"His love for his fiancee is unquestionable and he was looking forward to their married
life together," today's statement said.

"He was a selfless, loyal, all endearing and humorous person who gave 100 per cent
to everyone around him.

"His commitment to his job, his country, his family, his mates and comrades was undivided.

He loved them all.

"During his time in East Timor he encouraged his family and friends back home in Australia
to send toys, balls and writing and reading materials which he and several of his army
colleagues would distribute to villages in their off-duty hours."

Born in Geelong, Cpl O'Neill had joined the Army Reserve in 1993 and the regular army
two years later.

"In his short time, David achieved more than many achieve in a life time," Mr Legg said.

"He lived life to the fullest and his contagious smile filled our hearts with endless joy."

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