Last respects paid to slain NZ soldier

Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell's casket during the ramp ceremony at Ohakea Air Force Base last weekend. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The death of Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell in Afghanistan was a tragedy on a number of levels, Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand said at the slain soldier's military funeral at Linton Military Camp today.

Lt O'Donnell, 28, was killed when his patrol was attacked while on a routine patrol in the Bamiyan province in northeastern Afghanistan last week.

He was the first New Zealand soldier to die in combat since 2000, when Private Leonard Manning was killed in East Timor.

Prime Minister Mr Key was among the mourners at his military funeral service at Linton Military Camp, near Palmerston North, this afternoon, held at the same time as services were being held in Wellington and Burnham Military Camp.

Sir Anand said Lt O'Donnell's death was a tragedy for his family, the army and the defence force, and New Zealanders felt their pain.

"First it is a personal tragedy for his parents and family who live with the intense grief of their loss. At this sad time New Zealanders generally extend deepest sympathies to the O'Donnell family," he said.

"His death is also a tragedy for the New Zealand Army. Lieutenant O'Donnell was regarded as a highly competent and widely liked officer.

"It seems clear that he understood the challenges of command and held the potential for higher leadership.

"His death is also a loss for the wider New Zealand Defence Force, which has lost several of its number in the last year.

"While in military service defence personnel are called upon to serve in dangerous and life-threatening situations, every loss of life is keenly felt.

"New Zealanders thank Defence Force members for their dedication and service to our country as we join you in remembering another colleague."

New Zealanders had long served in conflict zones far from home to defend democratic values or to bring some semblances of peace and stability to divided lands, Sir Anand said.

That was a responsibility that Lt O'Donnell was proud to uphold, he said.

"It is with both sadness and pride that we now add his name to the long list of those New Zealanders who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation.

"Today we honour and remember Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell as a son, an officer and a New Zealander. Rest in peace, haere ra, kia ora koutou."

Other speakers were Defence Force chief Lieutenant General Mateparae, and Lt Colonel Hugh McAslan, commanding officer of Lt O'Donnell's unit, 2/1 RNZIR.

Lance Corporal Matthew Ball, 24, and Private Allister Baker, 23, were wounded in the attack in Bamiyan, as was an Afghan interpreter. All four were in the lead patrol vehicle, which was destroyed by a roadside bomb.

Lt O'Donnell's body will be handed back into the care of an undertaker for a private family service. The family has requested privacy.

- NZPA