WO2 LACHLAN LESTER MUDDLE enlisted into the Army in 20 July 1994 and posted to the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. He successfully completed the SASR Selection course in 2007 and after successful completion of the Reinforcement cycle, was posted to the 3 SQN as a Mobility Operator. Lachlan was promoted to WO2 on 01 January 2025.
WO2 Muddle deployed on OP Warden in 1999, OP Tanager in 2000 & 2002, OP Citadel in 2002, and completed OP Slipper deployments in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
WO2 Muddle died from injuries sustained during a parachute training accident at Jervis Bay Airfield on the 11 May 2026.
He leaves behind his father Bruce.


Service/PMKeys number: 2805981, 8241844

Category of service: Australian Regular Army

Date of enlistment: 26 July 1994

Date of discharge: 12 May 2026
Employment: Special Forces Operator

Rank: Warrant Officer Class Two

Postings:
1 Recruit Training Battalion 26 July 1994
School of Infantry 17 October 1994
3 Battalion, Royal Australia Regiment 03 February 1995
Army Recruit Training Centre 20 November 2003
1 Health Support Battalion 15 January 2007
Special Air Service Regiment 06 August 2007
1 Recruit Training Battalion 04 January 2023
School of Infantry 20 January 2025
Special Air Service Regiment 19 January 2026

Operational Service/Deployment:
Malaysia 09 February 1999 to 04 April 1999
Operation Warden (East Timor) 20 September 1999 to 19 February 2000
Operation Tanager (East Timor) 17 April 2002 to 19 May 2002
Operation Citadel (East Timor) 20 May 2002 to 27 October 2002
Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) 26 June 2009 to 13 November 2009
Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) 12 May 2010 to 26 May 2010
Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) 09 March 2011 to 09 July 2011
Operation Slipper (Afghanistan) 22 February 2012 to 13 June 2012
Operation APEC Assist (Papua New Guinea) 21 October 2018 to 21 November 2018

Honours and Awards:

Australian Active Service Medal with Clasps ‘EAST TIMOR’ and ‘ICAT’ International Forces East Timor Medal
Afghanistan Medal
Australian Service Medal with Clasp 'CT/SR' Australian Operational Service Medal – CT/SR Defence Long Service Medal with Third Clasp Australian Defence Medal
United Nations Medal with Ribbon ‘UNTAET’
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Non Article 5 Medal with Clasp ‘ISAF’ Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal
Meritorious Unit Citation - Task Force 66 (Special Ops Task Groups IV-XX) Returned from Active Service Badge
Operational Service Badge
Soldier's Medallion for Exemplary Service Infantry Combat Badge

May 11, 2026