| Accession Number | AWM2017.1110.1 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | 1 wallet: 1 cm |
| Object type | Letter |
| Maker |
Baird, Cameron Stewart |
| Place made | Afghanistan |
| Date made | 2013 |
| Access | Open |
| Conflict |
Afghanistan, 2001-2021 |
| Copying Provisions | Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction. |
Baird, Cameron Stewart (Corporal, b.1981 - d.2013)
Description
Collection relating to Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird, VC, MG, 2nd Commando Regiment, while on his fourth tour of Afghanistan, February to June 2013. Baird joined the Australian Regular Army in January 2000, subsequently served in East Timor and Iraq, and was deployed four times to Afghanistan, during 2007 to 2013. On 22 June 2013, Baird was killed during an assault on the Taliban-held village of Ghawchak in Uruzgan province.
The collection consists of a handwritten letter, written by Baird within two weeks of being killed, and believed to be his last letter. The letter is addressed to 12 year old Sydney school student Campbell Byrd. Baird is replying to a letter sent by Campbell, as part of a high school English project which asked students to write a letter to an unknown soldier serving in Afghanistan. Baird’s three page letter answers a series of Campbell’s questions; in response to a question on the nature of his work, Baird writes ’… We do many different missions in Afghanistan but the main focus is providing security to the community and advising the Afghan police and army how to provide security within their job. I have been to Afghanistan a number of times and they are getting better and better each time I come back. My main role over here is war fighting. The enemy use Afghanistan as a place to harbour their ‘jihad’ holy war. This enemy kills and harasses the local population, so we try and help and they fight us. War is very complicated and hard to explain. I hope this answers your question.’
Baird was team commander when he was killed. He was leading an assault on a Taliban compound, forcing his way into hostile buildings amid intense small-arms fire. Baird charged the enemy’s position three times, drawing fire away from his team. On the third occasion, his actions ‘enabled the enemy to be neutralised and kept his team safe, but ultimately cost him his life’.
On hearing of Baird's death, Campbell Byrd relinquished the letter so it could be returned to Baird’s family.