Nicholas Parsons, who died fighting in Ukraine, to be remembered at Townsville funeral

A memorial for a former soldier who died in Ukraine is being held in NQ with a fundraiser underway to support his family.

Nicholas Parsons and Christopher Lee Garrett both died in Ukraine while working for landmine-clearing charity Prevail. Source: Christine Khariv/LinkedIn.

A former Australian Defence Force bomb disposal expert who died fighting in Ukraine will be remembered at a service in Townsville this week.

Nicholas Parsons, known as Nic, was working with the US-registered organisation Prevail Together when he was killed in Izyum.

Mr Parsons, 28, had been working to clear mines and other unexploded ordinance in Ukraine when he was killed in early May.

Funeral notice for Nicholas Parsons.

A fundraiser has been set up to help Mr Parsons’ family and to “give him the send-off he deserves”.

On Thursday, Mr Parsons, known as “Desmond” to his work colleagues, will be remembered at a funeral at Morleys.

Lachie Romer, who set up the GoFundMe appeal, said they had lost a “beautiful mate” too soon.

“It still doesn’t feel real, and it’s hard to find the right words to say,” he wrote.

Relatives react at the portrait of 40-year-old British volunteer and EOD technician Christopher Lee Garrett, who died alongside Nic Parsons, during a public memorial in honour of him at Independence Square in Kyiv on May 17, 2025, amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Picture: Sergei Supinsky/AFP

“Nic was one of those people you just loved being around — always up for a laugh, always there when you needed him, and someone who made life better just by being in it.

“Anything you can chip in would mean the world, and if you can’t donate, a share would be just as appreciated.”

Already, more than $22,000 has been raised.

People queue outside a bank that closed during an air raid alert on January 21, 2025 in Izyum, Ukraine. Picture: Carl Court/Getty Images

The funeral notice says Mr Parsons was the “beloved son of Wayne and Vicki and dearly loved brother of Gabrielle”.

Mr Parsons was killed alongside Prevail Together’s founder and chair Christopher Garrett.

On May 23, Prevail Together released a statement saying Mr Parsons and Mr Garrett were on their way home.

“We would like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to everyone involved; first and foremost those who worked with the Ukrainian authorities to prepare Nick and Chris for repatriation,” he said.

“The efforts by the Prevail team were nothing short of legendary. We are also deeply grateful to all those outside Prevail, including the consulates of UK and Australia, and the 3rd Assault Brigade – whose support was vital at every step.”

Matthew Jepson (front) pictured with other soldiers from Chosen Company in Ukraine

Matthew Jepson.

He is the second man with a connection to Townsville to die in the war in Ukraine.

Townsville-raised Matthew Jepson died in an artillery strike while fighting in eastern Ukraine with the Chosen Company.

Family and friends who knew Mr Parsons have been invited to a memorial service on Thursday at 10am at Morleys. After the service, people are invited to the Townsville RSL to share memories of Mr Parsons’ life.

Originally published as Nicholas Parsons, who died fighting in Ukraine, to be remembered at Townsville funeral