Defence Chief at war with families

Air Marshal Mark Binskin is announced as the new Defence Force Chief after General David Hurley retires in July.

OUTGOING Defence Chief General David Hurley has angered the families of dead soldiers by donating a Memorial Plinth from a base in Afghanistan to a remote North Queensland location.

The incoming NSW Governor made the decision without consultation, and the families, other special-forces troops and senior officers and officials are livid that a pledge to pass the stone to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra has been broken.

News Corp Australia has obtained an email from Army Headquarters dated November 7, 2013 informing families of plans for the "SONG Camp Russell Memorial Stone — to be located at the AWM."

The pledge was overruled by General Hurley during an emotional discussion in Afghanistan with the convener of the privately funded Avenue of Honour at Yungaburra west of Cairns, Gordon Chuck, whose son Commando Private Benjamin Chuck was killed in a helicopter crash in 2010.

Mr Chuck yesterday told News Corp that he was not prepared to reconsider.

"We thought it would be nice to have something of that significance that is not located in the capital but at a specific Afghanistan memorial, and General Hurley agreed," he said.

But Ray Palmer, whose son Commando Private Scott Palmer was killed in the same chopper crash as Benjamin Chuck, said the Plinth belonged at the Australian War Memorial.

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He wrote a letter to General Hurley begging him to reconsider on behalf of the other 19 families whose son"s names are on the plinth.

Families furious ... Ray and Pam Palmer whose son Commando Private Scott Palmer was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010, standing beside the Memorial Plinth at Camp Russell at Tarin Kowt. Source: Supplied

"It is not fair for the comrades of our son Scott and the comrades and families of the other fallen, that they cannot visit the original monument, where they stood and bowed their head in Afghanistan, in the National Capital, where it should be," his letter said.

Mr Palmer travelled to Canberra last week to meet with General Hurley who told him that he could not reverse a decision that was made at a very emotional moment.

Responding to several questions Defence confirmed that the chief had met with a representative for the families of Australia"s fallen.

"The matter regarding the Special Forces Memorial Plinth was resolved during this meeting," Defence said.

General David Hurley, the outgoing Chief of the Australian Defence Force, will replace Marie Bashir as New South Wales Governor. Source: News Corp Australia

Mr Palmer said it was definitely `not resolved" as far as the families were concerned.

Felix Sher, whose son Commando Private Greg Sher, was killed in 2009 said Yungaburra was too far away and too expensive for most families to visit.

"The War Memorial is our national shrine and that is where the plinth should be," Mr Sher said.

Natasha Aplin"s husband Commando Private Tim Aplin, was also killed in the helicopter crash with Privates Chuck and Palmer. She feels strongly that the plinth should be at the War Memorial.

Wanting answers ... Natasha Aplin, whose husband Tim was killed along with two other Diggers in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan last year. Source: News Limited

"I just believe that is a sacred place and more families are able to travel there than to North Queensland. It is also a secure location," Mrs Aplin said.

"There should have be some consultation with families before this was decided."

It is understood Army Chief Lieutenant General David Morrison strongly supported the plinth and its 20 names being at the War Memorial, as did senior officers at both SAS headquarters and 2 Commando Regiment headquarters.

A spokesman for Defence Minister David Johnston said the minister supported General Hurley"s decision.

A second Plinth from the main Australian base at Camp Holland will be preserved and displayed at the War Memorial.

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