Private Robert Poate, 8551568 aged 23 years old. Robert attended Canberra Grammar School from pre-school to year 12, this period being two thirds of his short life. Robert was an intelligent student and a superb all-round athlete. He was awarded Blaxland House Colours and the Mark Sowell Award for outdoor education. He was Captain of the open grade Third Fifteen Rugby Football Team where he played as five eighth, and he regularly played with the Second Fifteen. In his final year at school, his football team presented him with the Players' Player Award.

Robert enlisted in the Army in 2009, and this was his first tour of Afghanistan. Private Robert Poate was a member of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment Task Group and was originally from the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR), based in Brisbane, Queensland. He and two other Australian soldiers were killed by a rogue Afghan soldier at the Wahab Patrol base in the Baluchi Valley region. Private Poate was born in Canberra, in 1988. He enlisted in the Army in 2009. On completion of his basic and initial employment training, he was posted as a rifleman to 6 RAR. Private Poate was a highly qualified soldier, having completed specialist training as a Protected Mobility Vehicle Driver in 2010 and Protected Mobility Vehicle Commander in 2011. Private Poate was known for having outstanding leadership potential, which led to him completing a promotion course for Corporal in 2011. He will be fondly remembered by his 'Brothers by Choice' in 6 RAR as a larrikin and an incredibly professional soldier. Private Poate was proud of his family, his military service, his Canberra origins and his red hair which he vehemently defended as being strawberry blonde.

Private Poate 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

Infantry Combat Badge

He deployed on the following operation:

Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan) June – August 2012

Private Poate is survived by his parents Hugh and Janny, and his sister, Nicola, Hugh, Janny and Nicola are left with wonderful memories of Robert, particularly his ever-present smile, his great sense of humour and his unconditional love.

Memorial at The ACT Garden of Remembrance

Memorial at The Australian War Memorial

Also commemorated at the Avenue of Honour, Yungaburra Qld