Family, friends and fellow soldiers have farewelled Corporal Brendan Hannam at a military funeral in Darwin, more than two weeks after he died in a training accident in the Northern Territory.
The 28-year-old was remembered at service at Long Pine Chapel at Robertson Barracks in Darwin on Monday, attended by members of his unit the 5th/7th Battalion, the NT News reported.
Paying tribute to the fallen soldier, Lieutenant Cooper Bridgeman described Corporal Hannam as a steady, capable leader who held himself and those around him to a high standard and never made it about himself.
He said while Corporal Hannam’s mates saw a dedicated corporal and selfless teammate, loved ones had the privilege of knowing the man behind the uniform.
“We saw a dedicated corporal, a selfless teammate and a valued leader,” Lieutenant Bridgeman said in a tribute directed at Corporal Hannam’s family.
“However, you had the privilege of having him for everything that he was: a man of character, a loving partner, and most of all, a devoted father.
“Know that he was extremely proud of you and everything that he did was for you, the people that he loved deeply and without reservation.”
Corporal Hannam, a father-of-two origingally from Geelong, served in the army for nine years, including operational deployments to Afghanistan in 2019 and Operation Kudu in 2023.
His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ash Zimmerlie, said Corporal Hannam has served Australia with distinction, loyalty and dedication to his profession.
Corporal Hannam died on October 5 when a troop-carrying vehicle rolled over at Mount Bundey Training Area, about 120km southeast of Darwin.
Five other soldiers were injured in the rollover.
Chief of Army Lieutenant General Susan Coyle later said the Supacat vehicle had been grounded pending the commencement of an investigation.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said a series of investigations would follow, including by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force, and the Northern Territory Coroner.
Corporal Hannam’s casket was carried by his fellow soldiers, with a gun salute held as he left Robertson Barracks for the final time, according to NT News.