Sergeant Diddams was a member of the Special Operations Task Group and was from the Perth-based Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). He was employed as a Special Air Service Regiment Patrol Commander.

Sergeant Diddams is survived by his wife Toni-Ann, their daughter Elle-Lou and son Henry, his parents Peter and Cate, and siblings Nikki, Sian, Christian and Luke.

Sergeant Diddams was born in Canberra, ACT, in 1971. He enlisted in the Army on 24 April 1990 and after completing his initial employment training for infantry was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Townsville, Queensland on 2 November 1990. Sergeant Diddams successfully completed his SASR selection course and was posted to the Regiment in 1995

This was his seventh tour to Afghanistan since 2001, although he had deployed previously on four occasions to Somalia, East Timor and the Solomon Islands.

Sergeant Diddams, ‘Didds’ to his mates, was a devoted family man and a dedicated professional soldier. Known for his outwards personality and quirky sense of humour, he was held in the highest regard by his mates and comrades alike.

Sergeant Diddams has been awarded the following honours and awards:

• Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp Somalia, Clasp East Timor, Clasp ICAT
• International Forces East Timor (INTERFET) Medal
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• Australian Service Medal with Clasp Solomon Islands, Clasp ‘CT/SR’
• Defence Long Service Medal
• Australian Defence Medal
• NATO ISAF Medal
• Meritorious Unit Citation
• Infantry Combat Badge, and
• Returned from Active Service Badge.

During Sergeant Diddams’ service in the Australian Army he deployed on the following Operations:

• Operation Solace (Somalia) — Jan – May 1993;
• Operation Warden (East Timor) — Jan – Feb 2000;
• Operation Tanager (East Timor) — February – May 2000;
• Operation Trek (Solomon Islands) — 2002;
• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) — Nov 2001 – Apr 2002;
• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) — May – Oct 2007;
• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) — Jan – April 2008;
• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) — May – July 2008;
• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) — Jun – Nov 2009;
• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) — Jan – Jul 2011;
• Operation Amulet (CHOGM Perth) — 2011; and
• Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) — Feb 2012 – July 2012.

Prayer Response to Death of Sgt Blaine Diddams (former student of St Columban's College) Thursday 12th July 2012

We Gather  - Ms Galvin:

Today we gather to express our heartfelt sorrow and condolences to the family of Sgt Blaine Diddams.  Our prayers and thoughts are with him and his family in this terrible tragedy. May they find protection and comfort within their family and friends and in God and in knowing that Blaine died doing his duty as a soldier  for Australia.

Loving God, Father and Mother of us all – be with the family of Blaine now.

We Listen (Matthew 11:28-30)

Jacob: A reading from the Gospel of Matthew

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

The Word of the Lord

Thanks Be to God

History of Blaine at St Columban's College

Ellie: Blaine was a student at the College in 1984 and 1985;  he was here for Year 8 and 9 of his schooling in Duhig house. His father was also in the Army and the family moved a lot. Whilst at school, Blaine played Rugby. In lots of ways, he was a student like many of us here – he had good friends, he enjoyed sport and he dreamed of a future where he could make a difference.

Blaine’s service in the army

Born in Canberra in 1971, Sgt Diddams enlisted in the Army in April 1990 and was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Townsville, Queensland, later that year.

In 1995 he was posted to the elite SASR in Perth after completing the selection course.

Sgt Diddams was on his seventh tour of Afghanistan since 2001 and had deployed previously to Somalia, East Timor and the Solomon Islands.

Highly decorated, he was awarded a number of honours  and served in various operations over his 22 year career.

Sergeant Blaine Diddams, who was deployed as a Regiment Patrol Commander with the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan, was killed during an engagement with insurgents in Afghanistan on 2 July 2012.

Blaine had a wife and two young children. His parents, brothers and sisters also mourn the loss of a son and brother.

Sergeant Diddams has been awarded the following honours and awards:

•     Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp Somalia, Clasp East Timor, Clasp ICAT

•     International Forces East Timor (INTERFET) Medal

•     Afghanistan Campaign Medal

•     Australian Service Medal with Clasp Solomon Islands, Clasp ‘CT/SR’

•     Defence Long Service Medal

•     Australian Defence Medal

•     NATO ISAF Medal

•     Meritorious Unit Citation

•     Infantry Combat Badge, and

•     Returned from Active Service Badge.

During Sergeant Diddams’ service in the Australian Army he deployed on the following Operations:

•     Operation Solace (Somalia) — Jan – May 1993;

•     Operation Warden (East Timor) — Jan – Feb 2000;

•     Operation Tanager (East Timor) — February – May 2000;

•     Operation Trek (Solomon Islands) — 2002;

•     Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) — Nov 2001 – Apr 2002;

•     Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) — May – Oct 2007;

•     Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) — Jan – April 2008;

•     Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) — May – July 2008;

•     Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) — Jun – Nov 2009;

•     Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) — Jan – Jul 2011;

•     Operation Amulet (CHOGM Perth) — 2011; and

•     Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) — Feb 2012 – July 2012.

We Respond

Reader: Bree

Sgt Blaine Diddams  was a son, husband and father. We pray for family life. We thank God for the gift of those who love us and care for us. We pray today for those in our society who suffer from the loss of family and friends, especially those losses caused by war and conflict. May we make a commitment to show our appreciation for those who care for us. 

We remember those whose lives have been taken or changed due to war and conflict.

God of mercy hold each of them gently in the palm of your hands. Guide and bless all your people as we stand in solidarity during this time.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

Amen

We Go

Reader: Bree

We ask for a minutes silence now as the white cross with Sgt Blaine Diddams’ name is taken to the Anzac Remembrance Garden and placed there as a mark of respect. He will now be added to the group of former students we honour each year at our Anzac Day ceremony.

SILENCE

Zac: Poem:

The Lonely Forward Scout

Each man has his duty
Yes, each man has his job
And each one takes the chance
That he will stand before his God
But ask of any soldier
What he thinks of the scout
The one that leads the others
The lonely forward scout.

He's the first one into danger
The first to face the shots
He sees and hears what others miss
And reads right on the spot
For none may walk beside him
While he's up front, the scout
He's known as both the eyes and ears
The lonely forward scout

But man is man and life goes round
And returns to form a ring
The whispering of the leaves may mean
That death is on the wing
The rifles boom, the rockets crash
Many lives hang deep in doubt
His chest now but a crimson cloak
The lonely forward scout

And now there lies in our sunburnt land
Deep down beneath the earth
A boy who died a soldiers death
For all this it was worth
We were hit from every side it seemed
Just able to get out
But there up front, alone, he died
The lonely forward scout

written by:
S.A Evans WIA 19 July 1969
Eulogy for Ray Kermode
Killed in Action
Long Kahn Province, 19th July 1969

Notes:

1. 218535 Stephen Andrew EVANS was killed in a motor vehicle accident on 18 March 1994 aged 45.

2. The Apollo 11 space flight landed the first humans on Earth's Moon on July 20, 1969.

Australian Anthem.

Advance Australia Fair – sung by Keely