Benjamin John Roberts‑Smith (born 1 June 1982) is a former Australian Army soldier who served in the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). He is a recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia (VC), the highest military decoration for gallantry in the Australian honours system, awarded for his actions during a battle in Afghanistan in 2009.
Early Life and Military Career
- Birthplace: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
- Education: Attended St Peter’s College, Adelaide; later studied at the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
- Enlistment: Joined the Australian Army in 2000 and later transferred to the Special Air Service Regiment.
Victoria Cross for Australia
Roberts‑Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia on 24 February 2011. The citation recognized his “conspicuous bravery” during a firefight near Tangi Valley, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, where his actions contributed significantly to the survival of his patrol under heavy enemy fire.
Post‑Military Activities
- Public Speaking and Advocacy: After leaving the Army in 2012, Roberts‑Smith became a public speaker and advocate on defence and veteran issues.
- Political Ambitions: He announced a bid for preselection with the Liberal Party of Australia for a federal seat in 2021, though he later withdrew from the contest.
Legal Proceedings
Roberts‑Smith was the subject of civil defamation actions brought by two Australian newspapers—The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald—which published allegations that he had committed war crimes. In June 2023, a Federal Court judge found that the publications’ claims were substantially true, concluding that Roberts‑Smith had engaged in unlawful conduct that amounted to war crimes. The judge ordered the newspapers to pay damages to Roberts‑Smith, but also affirmed that the core allegations were proven.
Honours and Awards (selected)
- Victoria Cross for Australia (VC) – 2011
- Medal for Gallantry (MG) – 2009
- Commendation for Distinguished Service – 2009
- Australian Service Medal (AFSM) with East Timor clasp
- Various campaign and service medals associated with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan
Personal Life
Roberts‑Smith is married and has children. He has remained active in veteran community initiatives and continues to engage in public discourse on defence policy.
See Also
- Victoria Cross for Australia
- Special Air Service Regiment (Australia)
- Australian military involvement in Afghanistan
This entry is compiled from publicly available, verifiable sources and reflects information up to June 2026.
