A Canadian school teacher and content creator found himself with Australia’s most decorated soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith on Saturday morning.
The video he filmed of the pair at the Currumbin RSL club on the Gold Coast after a sombre Dawn Service received a huge response and thousands of comments from Aussies in support of the Victoria Cross recipient and alleged war criminal.
“Guys, I’m with Ben Roberts-Smith, one of the most decorated soldiers ever, I think,” said Josiah Hein, who relocated from Canada to Queensland and has found success sharing his surprise and awe at Australian life.
“Thanks for your service Ben. I hope you get … all the truth and everything comes out for you, man.”
Mr Roberts-Smith, who is on bail after being charged with five counts of war crime murder from his time with the Special Air Service Regiment in Afghanistan, tells Hein: “Thanks mate, appreciate it” and “Hope you enjoy your day”.
The response to the video illustrates the huge amount of support Mr Roberts-Smith has received from sections of the public after being charged over his service between 2009 and 2012.
“Ben’s a hero and what’s occurring is a national disgrace,” one person wrote.
“What a privilege and honour you have had to meet such a hero and man. If you can buy him a beer,” another wrote.
Others jumped on to label him a “hero” and “legend”.
“Good to see BRS out on a day that also remembers the sacrifices his mates and himself have made,” one wrote.
“Most of Australia think this man is a hero. We do not know what happened over there, but boy, some of us have heard stories and from those stories, I do hope he is able to live life fully after we are hoping he is able to be a free and honourable man,” another wrote.
The Victoria Cross recipient has yet to enter pleas to any of the charges, but has denied the allegations. He was released on bail on April 17 after 10 days in custody.
On Saturday his Victoria Cross citation was among the string of medals attached to the breast of his suit.
Mr Roberts-Smith, who spoke at length with a number of veterans on Saturday morning, said he never considered not attending.
“I personally spent today thinking about families. Their sons are the ones I’m thinking about today.”
Not everyone in the comments was so effusive.
“Should we wait until all accounts of the events are heard before patting backs?” one person wrote.
But the overwhelming majority shared thanks to Mr Roberts-Smith for attending and pledged solidarity as he faces charges that carry a possible sentence of life in prison.
After being arrested in front of his children at Sydney airport on April 7, Mr Roberts-Smith spent 10 days in custody at Silverwater Correctional Centre.
Court documents released this week, related to his bail application, include an affidavit from Mr Roberts-Smith saying he had run down his life savings after unsuccessfully bringing a defamation case against the Nine newspapers, and that he was living on a $4500-per-fortnight Services Pension.
An affidavit from his partner also said the 47-year-old has been unable to secure stable employment since leaving the Seven Network in the wake of his defamation loss in June 2023.
Issuing a public statement last week after being released from remand, Mr Roberts-Smith again denied the war crime murder allegations.
“For the past 10 years my family and I have been subject to a campaign to convince Australians that I’ve acted improperly in my service in Afghanistan,” he said.
“As I’ve always maintained, I categorically deny all these allegations.
“And while I would’ve preferred these charges not have been brought, I will be taking this opportunity to finally clear my name.”
Dean Burgess, an ex-Special Forces operator, told news.com.au last week that he was compelled by the public scrutiny surrounding the special forces communities to speak out.
“I just would feel like a traitor to the Brotherhood if I didn’t,” he said.
“For us, the war hasn’t ended yet … Ben, Ollie, they are in a bit of a sh** jam right now, and I wouldn’t feel right if I just sat and did nothing about it.”
— with NCA Newswire
