Soldier son of former defence minister farewelled after fatal parachuting incident
The sister of a soldier who died undertaking special forces training has made a final heartbreaking promise as he was farewelled at a packed out service.
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A beloved special forces soldier described by his squad mates as a loyal friend with an “infectious sense of humour” has been farewelled in a heartfelt ceremony.
Lance Corporal Jack Patrick Fitzgibbon suffered critical injuries during special forces training at RAAF Base Richmond in northern Sydney on March 6.
A packed service was held at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cessnock on Monday, with a large contingent of MPs, defence personnel and locals in attendance.
The 33-year-old’s sister, TV reporter Grace Fitzgibbon, told tearful attendees she was shattered by the loss but would continue to carry her brother’s memory “in my bones”.
“As your little sister, I promise to step up and protect our family through anything life may throw at us,” Ms Fitzgibbon, a Seven News journalist, said.
“Whenever there are questions to be answered or decisions to make I’ll simply ask myself: ‘What would Jack do?’ I love you more than you will ever know.”
Ms Fitzgibbon’s older sister, Caitlin, choked up talking about how the decorated soldier will not get to meet his first nephew, but how she knew her brother would watch over him.
“Your last message to me was telling me that a big Hulk baby boy is what we want. That big boy will know everything there is about this Uncle Jack,” she said.
Streets and carparks in the CBD of Cessnock, a small town in the NSW Hunter Valley region, were closed overnight in preparation for a full military funeral.
Lance Corporal Fitzgibbon was the only son of former Rudd government defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon, who held the portfolio between 2007 and 2009.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles were at the service alongside local Hunter Valley Labor MP Daniel Repacholi.
They were also joined by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, as well as current and former Nationals party leaders David Littleproud and Barnaby Joyce.
In a prerecorded message, mother Di Fitzgibbon told the service her life changed with a knock on the door and that she never “gave up” on her son.
She told the service the soldier was at his “happiest” before his death and was ready to “get the next chapter of his life started” with his new partner.
“We have laughed so much about your various exploits these past weeks because your mother’s worry is no longer attached,” she said through tears.
In his own message, father Joel Fitzgibbon said March 6 was the worst day of his life but that the family took solace in the fact his son had died doing what he loved.
“Jack was modest. I never heard him tell anyone he was a special forces soldier, he would just say he was with the ADF or told a porkie,” he said.
“He loves his family. We are in no doubt about that. We love. you Jack. Lest we forget.”
The service was presided over by Father Joel Vegara, who met Corporal Fitzgibbon as a chaplain while he was stationed with the ADF in Wagga Wagga.
Speaking at the funeral, the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Commando Regiment said the 33-year-old had died serving his country after a decade with the ADF.
Joining the ADF in 2014, Corporal Fitzgibbon served a range of postings including an operational deployment to Papua New Guinea and roles with the commando regiment.
During that time, he was awarded the Australian Defence Medal and the Australian Operation Service Medal for counter-terrorism, and a service badge.
The commando CO, who cannot be named, told the packed service: “The nature of a soldier’s life is inherently dangerous and not with risk and consequence.
“Jack will never be forgotten and his service as one of the (the country's) most adept signals and special forces communicators will inspire those to come.
“He leaves behind an honourable legacy and will be missed. Rest now, your service is done.”
The service also heard messages from Corporal Fitzgibbon’s squad mates and comrades who described “Teflon Charlie” as a loyal friend and tough-as-nails.
“Jack was a highly competent and modest soldier who did not seek promotion or recognition. He had a relentless pursuit of excellence,” they said.
The Defence Department confirmed an investigation had been launched into the cause of Corporal Fitzgibbon’s death and all parachuting activities had been temporarily paused.
In a statement released through the department, Mr Fitzgibbon said the family was “heartbroken at the loss of our wonderful Jack”.
“Serving in the special forces was Jack’s dream job and we take some comfort from the fact that he died serving his nation in a uniform of the ADF,” he said.
“Jack was a dedicated, highly skilled, and courageous soldier. He was an experienced parachutist.
“Our lives will never be the same without Jack, but we will always remain proud of him and his many achievements.”
Corporal Fitzgibbon served with the 2nd Commando Regiment, which is part of the Special Operations Command in the Army.
“Jack was loved for his courage and known for his sense of humour and his service to the country,” Brigadier James Kidd told reporters the day after his death.
Originally published as Soldier son of former defence minister farewelled after fatal parachuting incident
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