Jack Fitzgibbon remembered as a modest larrikin and humble soldier
Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon died too young, but his father Joel Fitzgibbon says more people now know of the 33-year-old and how faithfully he served his country.
Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon died too young, but at least more people now know of the “confident yet modest, charismatic yet humble” 33-year-old and how faithfully he served his country.
That’s what his father, former Labor defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon, wants to take away from a tragedy that shattered his family but united the defence forces and the nation’s leading politicians in mourning on Monday.
Anthony Albanese was among those who gathered in the Hunter Valley to pay tribute to Lance Corporal Fitzgibbon, more than a fortnight after he lost his life in what was described as a “typical” parachuting training exercise that is still being investigated.
Mr Fitzgibbon, who left parliament in 2019, said the Prime Minister and other senior Labor colleagues “honoured us and Jack greatly” by their presence. “We are devastated. But to see senior politicians from all sides of politics is a great tribute to Jack Fitzgibbon,” Mr Fitzgibbon told The Australian after the funeral.
“Jack was very modest and never talked about his achievements. He never told anyone he was a special forces soldier. We were very pleased that many people who didn’t know what he did have secured a better understanding of who he is.”
Mr Albanese gripped his former cabinet colleague in a tight hug as they headed into St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cessnock, with tears obvious in the eyes of both the Labor stalwarts.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Nationals Leader David Littleproud and Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie were among the Coalition MPs who attended the funeral and sat in pews with Labor ministers including Richard Marles, Pat Conroy and Matt Keogh to the right of Lance Corporal Fitzgibbon’s parents and siblings. His mother, Dianne Fitzgibbon, said in a prerecorded message that she “never gave up hope” while her son was in intensive care for two gruelling days following the incident. “They were to prove the worst two days of my life,” Mrs Fitzgibbon said. “Jack, there is nothing like a mother’s love and I will love you and miss you with all my heart until the day I die.”
Lieutenant Colonel G, the commanding officer of the second commando regiment, used his eulogy to acknowledge the swift actions of Lance Corporal Fitzgibbon’s teammates, the platoon medic, the NSW ambulance and all the medical staff at Westmead Hospital.
“You went above and beyond doing everything humanly possible to save Jack’s life. It is your courageous actions that gave Jack a fighting chance,” Lieutenant Colonel G said. “Just as Jack would have wanted us to do, let us use this moment of adversity to forge new lasting friendships and continue to reinforce those bonds and friendships that may have been overlooked in years past.”
Mr Fitzgibbon said he was grateful his son died doing something he loved, rather than being killed by “a drunk driver” or in some other tragedy.
“We remain so grateful for all the love and support from everyone around the world and at home,” he said.
Meryl Swanson, the Labor MP for the neighbouring seat of Paterson, said she was deeply saddened by the loss of Lance Corporal Fitzgibbon and was devastated for her former colleague. “Burying a child goes against every evolutionary instinct we have,” she said. “The Fitzgibbons are a wonderful family and like everyone who knows them I am deeply sorry for their loss.”
After the Ode of Remembrance was recited by military personnel, a haunting rendition of the Last Post was played over Lance Corporal Fitzgibbon’s coffin and yellow flowers placed on the Australian flag draped over it.
As bagpipes began to play, funeralgoers left the church after the Fitzgibbons, who each placed a hand on the coffin before it was driven away.
Lieutenant Colonel G said Lance Corporal Fitzgibbon would have cringed at the attention and pomp surrounding the funeral, remembering him as a “no-fuss person” who was at the same time “confident yet modest, charismatic yet humble, compassionate yet ruthless”.
“He was a larrikin and a professional. He was a soldier … affectionately known as the Teflon Charlie,” he said.
In finishing the ceremony, the priest said friends and family would tell stories of Lance Corporal Fitzgibbon after the funeral in a way that he would have liked: over a barbecue and beers.
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