Australian Soldier Killed in Afghanistan Father of Newborn

It has been revealed that Corporal Mathew Hopkins, the Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan on Monday, was father to a young baby and spent just four days with him before being sent back for a second tour of duty.

His devastated wife Victoria yesterday paid tribute to her husband who died during an ambush in the war-torn country on Monday. As reported in the Daily Telegraph:

“Mat had the most important job – he was a father to our son Alex, my husband and my best friend,” she said.

“He was excited about becoming a daddy. He only got to spend four days with our son when he was born before he had to go back overseas. I’m so glad that Mat got to meet his son and experience fatherhood.”

Corporal Hopkins was the ninth Australian to die in Afgahnistan since 2002, while more than 60 soldiers have been wounded. The tragedy has only further highlighted just how gtough a battle it is over there. My heart goes out to Victoria and baby Alex.

Image courtesy of the Dept. of Defence.