Ben Roberts-Smith attends Afghanistan anniversary service in Canberra

Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated living soldier, attended a ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on Sunday to mark 25 years since the nation deployed to Afghanistan. The Daily Mail and SMH.com.au both reported that he joined about 600 veterans at the service. The Daily Mail noted that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marked the anniversary alongside politicians and veterans, while Roberts-Smith received court permission to travel under his bail conditions. [1][2][4]

The Daily Mail reported that Roberts-Smith wore his medals and attended the ceremony alongside his partner, Sarah Matulin. He is currently facing five war crime murder charges. TOLOnews also reported that a former soldier confirmed war crimes committed by Roberts-Smith in Afghanistan. [1][3]

Roberts-Smith is a former soldier in the Special Air Service Regiment. He was awarded the Medal for Gallantry in 2006, the Victoria Cross for Australia in 2011, and a Commendation for Distinguished Service in 2012. His reputation was affected after a 2023 Federal Court ruling found enough evidence under Australian defamation law to establish that he had murdered four unarmed Afghans. [5]

Roberts-Smith was born in Perth, Western Australia, in 1978. His father served as a Major General in the Australian Army Reserve and as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia. SMH.com.au reported that veterans at the event called on the prime minister to release official war histories. [2][7]