Twenty-five year old Lance Corporal Jones was from the 9th Force Support Battalion in Amberley. Lance Corporal Jones was serving with the Force Support Unit when he was tragically killed in action during operations in Afghanistan on 30 May 2011.
Lance Corporal Jones was a loyal, reliable and trustworthy soldier who was dedicated to serving his country. He was a team player who loved his job. He had a quiet personality but enjoyed a joke with his mates. He was a skilled cook who was the first to volunteer to go on the road or on exercise.
Lance Corporal Jones was described by his family as a man who always enjoyed cooking and wanted to make this hobby, his career. A loyal friend who made everlasting friendships, Lance Corporal Jones consistently achieved.
In 2010, he was promoted to Lance Corporal upon completing his Junior Leader Course. Lance Corporal Jones was seen as a future leader.
Brigadier David Mulhall, Commander 17 Combat Service Support Battalion spoke of a soldier who would go out of his way to help others.
“His support to our combat soldiers was at the most basic of levels, where he sought to sustain the existence and morale of soldiers enduring incredible personal hardship and demand,” said Brigadier David Mulhall.
“He knew that the Patrol Base was regarded as home, he contributed much to the welfare of his mates.
“In so doing, Andrew displayed a level of selflessness that can only come from a man of character, a man of genuine moral strength and commitment, and a man who understood the importance of his role in support of a team.
“A clear message from Andrew’s mates was that he was a bloody good soldier and a bloody great cook.”
Lance Corporal Jones was awarded the Australian Service Medal with clasp Timor–Leste, the Australian Defence Medal, the Australian Active Service Medal with ICAT Clasp, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the NATO ISAF Medal.
The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Prime Minister; the Hon Warren Snowdon MP, Acting Minister for Defence; the Hon Tony Abbott MP, Leader of the Opposition; the Hon Ted Baillieu, Premier of Victoria; Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston AC AFC, Chief of the Defence Force; Stephen Merchant, Acting Secretary for Defence; Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie AC DSC CSM, Chief of Army; and local dignitaries attended the funeral.
Lance Corporal Jones leaves behind his loving parents, two younger siblings and girlfriend.