OUR FALLEN

They served with courage, professionalism and dedication. Each leaves behind a legacy of selfless service and sacrifice that will never be forgotten. We honour their memory, recognise the impact they had on those around them, and ensure their names remain a lasting part of the history of the Special Operations Engineer Regiment.

Lest we forget.

Sergeant Brett Till enlisted in the Australian Army in 2001 as a Royal Australian Engineer and quickly established himself as an exceptional combat engineer and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician. His distinguished career included service with the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, the Incident Response Regiment, the School of Military Engineering, and deployment on Operation Relex II before deploying to Afghanistan with the Special Operations Task Group in 2009. On 19 March 2009, Sergeant Till was tragically killed while disarming a Taliban improvised explosive device in southern Afghanistan. Remembered for his courage, professionalism and unwavering commitment to protecting others, his sacrifice remains an enduring part of the proud legacy of the Special Operations Engineer Regiment.

SGT BRETT TILL
KILLED IN ACTION
19 MARCH 2009

SPR ROWAN ROBINSON
KILLED IN ACTION
06 JUNE 2011

Sapper Rowan Robinson enlisted in the Australian Army in 2006 as a Royal Australian Engineer and served with the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment before being posted to the Incident Response Regiment as a member of 2 Troop, Alpha Squadron in 2010. On 6 June 2011, while deployed with the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan, Rowan was killed in action during a firefight with insurgents whilst clearing a large weapons cache in northern Helmand Province. Remembered as a dedicated, highly professional and selfless soldier, Rowan was admired for his cheerful nature, exceptional skill and unwavering commitment to protecting those around him. His courage and sacrifice remain an enduring part of the proud legacy of the Special Forces Engineer Regiment.

SPR SCOTT SMITH
KILLED IN ACTION
21 OCTOBER 2012

Scott enlisted in the Australian Army in 2006 as a Royal Australian Engineer and served with the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment before joining the Incident Response Regiment as a search operator in 2008. During his distinguished career, he deployed on Operation ANODE to the Solomon Islands, completed two operational deployments to Afghanistan on Operation SLIPPER, and supported Operation NORWICH in 2011. On 21 October 2012, Corporal Smith was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan. Remembered as an exceptional soldier and outstanding junior leader, Scott was admired for his professionalism, integrity and unwavering dedication to his mates and mission. His courage and sacrifice remain an enduring part of the proud legacy of the Special Operations Engineer Regiment.

SPR DANNY RAWLING
DIED IN SERVICE
24 MAY 2009

Danny enlisted in the Australian Army in 2004 as an Emergency Responder before transferring to the Incident Response Regiment, where he served first as a firefighter and later as a combat engineer. In 2008, he deployed to Afghanistan on Operation SLIPPER in support of the Australian Special Operations Task Force. Danny tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident on 24 May 2009 at the age of 35. Remembered as a dedicated and committed soldier, his service, professionalism and contribution to the Special Forces Engineer community remain an enduring part of the proud legacy of the Special Operations Engineer Regiment.

WO2 ROGER McDOUGALL
DIED IN SERVICE
27 JULY 2010

Roger McDougall, better known within the ranks as "Tas" enlisted in the Australian Army in 1980 as a Royal Australian Engineer and dedicated more than 30 years of service to the nation. A highly respected and accomplished engineer, he served across numerous engineer units and deployed operationally to Malaysia, Namibia, Somalia, East Timor and Afghanistan. Tas passed away on 27 July 2010 following a battle with cancer. Remembered for his professionalism, leadership and unwavering commitment to his Corps and country, his service and legacy remain an enduring part of the proud history of the Special Operations Engineer Regiment.

WO2 GREG MILLER
DIED IN SERVICE
06 SEPTEMBER 2019

Warrant Officer Class Two Greg Miller enlisted in the Australian Army in 1998 as a Royal Australian Engineer and served for almost 21 years across the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, the School of Military Engineering, the Incident Response Regiment and the Special Operations Engineer Regiment. His distinguished career included operational deployments to East Timor, the Solomon Islands and two tours of Afghanistan, where he served with both the Reconstruction Task Force and the Special Operations Task Group. A respected leader and mentor, Greg was selected as Squadron Sergeant Major of B Squadron in 2018 and had been chosen for commissioning as a Captain before he was tragically killed in a civilian helicopter accident in September 2019. His dedication, leadership and selfless service remain an enduring part of the proud legacy of the Special Operations Engineer Regiment.

SPR JASON GRANT
DIED POST SERVICE
11 JULY 2017

Jason or "Panda" to those close, enlisted in the Australian Army in 2004 as a Royal Australian Engineer and served with the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, the Incident Response Regiment and the Special Operations Engineer Regiment. During his military career, he supported domestic counter-terrorism operations on Operation ACOLYTE and completed two operational deployments to Afghanistan with the Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER. Jason concluded his Army service in 2013 and is remembered for his professionalism, dedication and commitment to his mates and mission. His service and contribution remain an enduring part of the proud legacy of the Special Operations Engineer Regiment.

CPL NICHOLAS PARSONS
DIED POST SERVICE
06 MAY 2025

Nicholas enlisted in the Australian Army as a Royal Australian Engineer and served in a number of units including the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, the 6th Engineer Support Regiment and the Special Operations Engineer Regiment, where he undertook training as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. During his service, he deployed on Operations ATLAS, AUGURY and COVID-19 ASSIST, as well as a Technical Collection and Exploitation Team rotation to Poland, earning recognition for his professionalism, dedication and unwavering commitment to duty. Post-discharge, Nicholas volunteered as an EOD technician to clear unexploded ordinance for the civilian population, tragically lost his life on 6 May 2025 while in Izyum, Ukraine. He is remembered for his courage, selfless service, larger than life personality and professionalism; his legacy lives on through the Special Operations Engineer Regiment and the many mates, family members and friends whose lives he touched.

LCPL GERRAD MANDLE
DIED POST SERVICE
11 DECEMBER 2025

Gerrard or "Gino" Mandle enlisted in the Australian Army in 2000 as a Royal Australian Engineer and served with the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment before joining the Incident Response Regiment/Special Operations Engineer Regiment. During his career, Gino deployed to East Timor on Operation CITADEL and twice to Afghanistan as part of Operation SLIPPER supporting the Australian Special Operations Task Group as a Special Forces Engineer. Recognised as the Student of Merit on the Army Work Diver Course, Gino was widely respected for his exceptional professionalism, uncompromising standards and dedication to mentoring those around him. Following his medical discharge in 2010, he continued to support and inspire the Special Forces Engineer community through his leadership and mentorship. Remembered as an outstanding soldier, trusted mate and natural leader, Gino's service and enduring influence remain a proud and lasting part of the legacy of the Special Operations Engineer Regiment.