Ben Roberts-Smith spotted at Gold Coast Dawn Service
Ben Roberts-Smith, an accused war criminal and Australia’s most highly decorated soldier, attended the Anzac Day Dawn Service a week after being released on bail.
Mr Roberts-Smith was seen at the Currumbin RSL service on the Gold Coast on Saturday morning.
Residents near the well-attended event hung a large, custom-printed banner above their balconies that read “We support BRS.”
Mr Roberts-Smith, who is on bail after being charged with five counts of war crime murder, was seen speaking to well-wishers and soldiers.
The RSL Queensland state president on Friday publicly approved Mr Roberts-Smtih’s attendance at any Dawn Service he chooses to attend.
Mr Roberts-Smith, 47, was charged earlier this month with five counts of war crime murder, relating to alleged conduct during his service in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
The Victoria Cross recipient has not yet entered a plea to any of the charges, but has denied the allegations. He was released on bail on April 17 after being detained for 10 days.
On Saturday, the Victoria Cross statue was among the rows of medals pinned to his suit’s chest.
Ben Roberts-Smith was greeted by a fan who posted a video of him on ANZAC Day.
Speaking to reporters after Saturday’s ceremony, Mr Roberts-Smith said he had received “overwhelming” support.
“I never thought about not coming,” he said.
“I was always going to be here.”
RSL Queensland president Major General Stephen Day had expressly given Mr Roberts-Smith permission to attend the meeting.
“He is certainly welcome into any service he chooses to join,” the major general said Friday.
Australia’s most decorated living soldier was detained for 10 days at Silverwater Prison after he was arrested in front of his children at Sydney airport on April 7.
Court documents released this week in connection with the bail application include an affidavit from Mr Roberts-Smith saying he had exhausted his life savings and was living on a $4,500 a fortnight Service Pension after launching an unsuccessful libel case against the Nine newspaper.
A statement made by his partner also said the 47-year-old had failed to secure stable employment since leaving the Seven Network following the insult loss in June 2023.
In a press statement after his release from detention last week, Mr Roberts-Smith again denied allegations of war crime murder.
“For the last 10 years my family and I have been subjected to a campaign to convince Australians that I acted inappropriately during my service in Afghanistan,” he said.
“As I have always said, I categorically deny all these allegations.”
“And although I would prefer that these charges not be brought, I will use this opportunity to finally clear my name.”
