Memorial service and plaque to remember fallen soldier

Sandra Harris says the unveiling of a plaque to honour her son, Private Richard Harris, will be a proud occasion. Photo / Nick Reed

Young Private killed in Afghanistan will be honoured at the rugby club he played for.

A mother and an Auckland community will gather today to salute their fallen soldier.

Private Richard Harris was one of three New Zealand soldiers killed in action three years ago when a roadside bomb destroyed the group's Humvee in Bamiyan Province, Afghanistan.

Private Harris, who was just 21 years old, Lance Corporal Jacinda Baker, 26, and Corporal Luke Tamatea, 31, died instantly in the August 19 incident.

To commemorate Private Harris' life, at 2pm this afternoon his local Patumahoe Rugby Club will unveil a memorial plaque on their grounds to honour a man who served both club and country.

Speaking about the loss of her son for the first time publicly, Sandra Harris says today will be a proud occasion for her "pride and joy" and the boy she misses so dearly.

"He was just so young.

"Richard died for his country and he did his family, and the nation, proud," Mrs Harris told the Weekend Herald.

"Richard was born and bred in Patumahoe, he was very keen on his rugby and played for the club's junior boys from the age of 5 to the first XV.

"So a lot of us thought having his memorial at the rugby club, just having his name somewhere where his mates can go and reminisce or take flowers, was a nice idea."

Patumahoe local Troy Abernethy not only played alongside Private Harris, but grew up just a few doors down the road.

"We were only ever a stone's throw away from each other. We were good mates since we were about 5 and played in a lot of rugby teams from through the grades right up to first XV at Pukekohe High School," Mr Abernethy said.

"He was a great guy and it's going to be awesome for everyone who knew him to have something there to remember him by - in the place where he spent so many great times.

"As kids he would always be carrying a rugby ball about, and having grown up together, it was pretty shocking when the news came through. I just couldn't believe it, I'd only just managed to see him just before he left for Afghanistan."

Mrs Harris also spoke of the liaison officer for family of the fallen, Tina Grant. After losing her husband, SAS commando Doug Grant, in Afghanistan in 2011, Mrs Grant has dedicated her Army career to helping others cope with heartbreak.

"Tina has been fantastic," she said. "I can't thank her enough. Tina's organised a bugle player and a few of Richard's good Army friends to come up for the day, so there will definitely be a military presence."

Private Harris joined the NZ Army in February 2009 and was posted to 2/1 RNZIR. He was previously deployed to Timor-Leste in 2009/2010.

This week Lance Corporal Rory Malone, 26, was posthumously honoured with a New Zealand Government gallantry award. Lance Corporal Malone was mortally wounded on August 4, 2012, moments after assisting his wounded commanding officer, Major Craig Wilson, to shelter during an ambush in Baghak Valley.