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AUSTRALIAN GUNNER

OBITUARY RESOURCE
 
         
         
 
 
       
 
  Captain Matthew Eden Manning

7 July1982 – 16 August 2015

 

 

 
 
   

By Peter Bruce, OAM

 

 

Printed Version
 
  Captain Matthew Manning passed away in Darwin on 16 August 2015 as a result of a tragic accident. Matthew was born in Brisbane on 7 July 1982, the youngest of 3 brothers in the family. He was educated at St Laurence’s College, South Brisbane and was made a Prefect of the College before graduating in 1999. After school, Matthew took some time to find his place in life. He embarked on some university studies in town planning, took a working holiday in Canada for 12 months and also worked at Suncorp.

Matthew was a keen sportsman and enjoyed golf, swimming and rugby. He also loved a day at the race track. Matthew gave back to the community as an active member of the Broadbeach Surf Lifesaving Club.

In 2010 Matthew was accepted into the Royal Military College at Duntroon and here he ultimately found his niche in life. Matthew was a committed and talented artillery officer who showed much promise as a leader and as a soldier. On his first posting he served at 8th/12th Regiment in Darwin as a Troop Commander. In 2013 he joined the School of Artillery in Puckapunyal as the Command Post Officer and Operations Officer. In 2014 he qualified as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC). In his role as JTAC, Matt was the complete professional; sharp, affable and committed to a job which he relished; providing air support to the troops. Most recently he had returned from secondment to the British Army where he was attached to 127 Dragon Battery, 19 Regiment, Royal Artillery in Tidworth, England. Whilst in the UK, Matthew made the most of the opportunities presented, visiting all corners of the United Kingdom as well as participating in training exercises in Germany.

Matthew was a genuine and well-liked character who will be sorely missed by his colleagues, and who will remember him always as a good man taken too soon. He found his niche in life with the Army and the last five years were the happiest of his short life and he made his parents proud of his achievements in the Army.

The funeral for Matthew was held on Monday 24 August at Mary Immaculate Church, Edmund Rice Drive, Ashmore. A wake was held at the Broadbeach Surf Life Saving Club, where Mathew had been a member. Another moving ceremony was held by members of 8th/12th Regiment in the field while on exercise.

Matthew is survived by his parents and two brothers.

Acknowledgements:

 

  • Mathew’s parents, Howard and Julie Manning.
  • Major John Batayola, Second in Command, School of Artillery

         
 
 

 

       
         
         
         
         
         
         
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