Sapper James Thomas Martin was on his first operational deployment as part of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group. He was a Sapper from the Brisbane-based 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment.

He is survived by his mother Suzanne Thomas, his younger brother and sister Angus and Holly, and his grandparents Lucille and Ralph Thomas.

Sapper Martin was born in Perth, Western Australia on 1 June 1991. He enlisted into the Australian Regular Army on 24 January 2011 and completed recruit training at the 1st Recruit Training Battalion in Wagga Wagga in April 2011, where he was allocated to the Corps of Royal Australian Engineers.

In May 2011, Sapper Martin attended the School of Military Engineering in Sydney and began his Initial Employment Training as a Combat Engineer. On completion of his Combat Engineer course in August 2011, he was posted to the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment in Brisbane.

On his arrival at the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, Sapper Martin became a member of the 7th Combat Engineer Squadron. He completed a number of additional courses including Combat Engineer High Threat Search, Communications and Weapon courses. Along with the rest of his Squadron, Sapper Martin Force Concentrated in Townsville with the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment in early 2012, in preparation for their deployment to Afghanistan.

Sapper Martin was an intellectual soldier who was a quick learner and adapted well to the Army environment. He was respected by his mates and was considered a loyal friend and comrade. A musically talented individual, he often played his base guitar for his mates. He was also an avid follower of Aussie Rules.

Sapper Martin has been awarded the following honours and awards:

• Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp ICAT
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• Australian Defence Medal
• NATO Non Article 5 Medal with Clasp ISAF
• Army Combat Badge

During Sapper Martin’s service in the Australian Army, he deployed on the following operations:

Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) June – August 2012