Damien Thomlinson

Damien Thomlinson is an Australian commando, swimmer, rally car navigator, para-snowboarder and author. He joined the Australian Army in 2005, and went on to serve in Afghanistan. While serving with the 2nd Commando Regiment in Tarin Kowt District in April 2009, the vehicle he was in drove over an improvised explosive planted by the Taliban. Thomlinson was severely injured, suffering wounds to his face, arms and legs; the damage to his legs was so severe that they were amputated. After undergoing extensive rehabilitation, he stayed with his unit in a desk job. In June 2011, to honour the memory of a friend who died in Afghanistan, he walked the long Kokoda Track on rubber prosthetic legs as part of a 25-man team of Australian soldiers. Thomlinson regularly participates in Targa rally races where he serves as Team Legacy Assist's navigator. He is also involved in snowboarding, having taken up the sport prior to his injury. He competed for the Australian Defence Force at the 2011 US Marine Corps Paralympic Trials/Exercise Wounded Warrior competition. Outside of these sports, he is a fan of the Sydney City Roosters and has participated in events connected to them and other teams in the National Rugby League. He has written a biography entitled "Without Warning". Military Thomlinson joined the Army through the Special Forces Direct Recruiting Scheme in December 2005, and qualified as an elite commando at the age of 24. During his period in the Army's combat units he completed advanced training combat courses. He earned five medals for his service, and has participated in Remembrance Day activities. Because of his military service, he was profiled by the Australian Sixty Minutes in 2010. While still actively serving, Thomlinson has worked to raise funds for the Commando Welfare Trust, an organisation to assist veterans of commando units. In 2009, Thomlinson was a private serving with the 2nd Commando Regiment in Tarin Kowt District of South Afghanistan. While on night patrol on 3 April 2009, the vehicle he was in ran over an improvised explosive device planted by the Taliban. The explosion caused extensive damage to his body that resulted in both of his legs being amputated, as one leg was obliterated and the other was torn off below the knee. His arms were also severely injured, with the elbow on his right arm coming out through a hole. Both hands and wrists were broken and he had a dislocated shoulder. He also broke his nose and tore his lips.