ADF names soldier who died in 'non-combat-incident'

THE Australian Special Forces soldier found dead in operational headquarters in Kabul on Tuesday was on his sixth tour of duty in Afghanistan at the time.

THE Australian Special Forces soldier found dead in operational headquarters in Kabul on Tuesday was on his sixth tour of duty in Afghanistan at the time.

On Thursday, the Australian Defence Force confirmed the soldier was Gosford, New South Wales-born Lance Corporal Todd John Chidgey.

Lance Corporal Todd Chidgey.

The 29-year-old Lance Corporal served his first six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2008, and was awarded nine separate honours and awards during his military career.

His colleagues in the 2nd Commando Regiment, in which he was serving at the time of death, described him as a "brilliant bloke" who would "do anything for his mates".

An internal investigation into his death, from a gunshot wound in "non-combat related" circumstances is now underway by the ADF Investigative Service.

A statement from Defence said the investigation would examine the evidence and establish the facts, and no further updates would be provided until it was complete.
 

Lance Corporal Chidgey has received the following honours and awards:

•     Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT);
•     Afghanistan Campaign Medal;
•     Australian Service Medal with Clasp Counter Terrorism / Special Recovery;
•     Australian Defence Medal;
•     NATO non article 5 Medal with Clasp ISAF;
•     Multiple Tour Indicator 2 North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), International Security Assistance Force;
•     Soldiers Medallion;
•     Infantry Combat Badge; and
•     Returned from Active Service Badge.

During Lance Corporal Chidgey's service in the Australian Army, he deployed on the following operations:

•     Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) May - July 2014;
•     Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) March 2014;
•     Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) October - November 2013;
•     Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) July - December 2012;
•     Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) February - July 2010; and
•     Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) June - November 2008.

Originally published as ADF names soldier who died in 'non-combat-incident'