Army hero back to work in WA Goldfields

Updated November 16, 2012 16:50:23

An Army reservist recently awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions while serving in Afghanistan has returned to his regular day job at a mine in Western Australia’s Goldfields.

Daniel Keighran, 29, was presented the nation’s highest military honour earlier this month for breaking cover and drawing fire away from his comrades while patrolling in Uruzgan province in August 2010.

Originally from Queensland, Corporal Keighran is living in Kalgoorlie and works at the Frog’s Leg gold mine.

“I’ve got some mates over here I used to serve in the Army with that convinced me to come over,” he said.

“It was a good idea and it has been a good career move and to make some good money as well.”

Corporal Keighran was the third Australian to receive the VC for actions while serving in Afghanistan, but the first non-special forces soldier.

The two previous Afghan war recipients – Corporal Mark Donaldson VC and Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC – were both members of the special forces.

His award citation said Corporal Keighran showed great bravery when a joint Australian-Afghan patrol came under attack in the village of Derapet.

Read the full citation here

Topics: army, people, kalgoorlie-6430, australia

First posted November 16, 2012 16:21:00

Army hero back to work in WA Goldfields