Australian soldier who served under RAMSI in Solomon Islands from 2005-2006 killed in Afghanistan

An Australian soldier who had served under RAMSI in the Solomon Islands from 2005 to 2006 has been killed in a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan yesterday.

Trooper David Pearce, 41 was posted to the Brisbane-based 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment in October 2006. He was serving with the Reconstruction Task Force when he died.

“Trooper Pearce was a highly professional, skilled and dedicated soldier. His comrades remember him as a loyal and reliable friend, ever willing to put the needs of others before his own,” Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said.

Trooper Pearce was born in Liverpool, New South Wales, and enlisted in the Australian Army Reserve in 2002. Following a period of Reserve service he transferred to the Australian Regular Army in July 2006.

Trooper Pearce had previous operational experience having deployed to the Solomon Islands with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Queensland Regiment in 2005-2006.

Source: Pacific Magazine