Portrait of A Lighthorseman - Trooper Bodley, 2/14 QMI

Portrait of a LightHorseman - Trooper Bodley 2nd 14th Light Horse Regiment, Queensland Mounted Infantry
Oil on Canvas Board
2007
Official Army Art Collection

"Whilst in Baghdad, I was fortunate enough to visit the men and women of Security Detachment IX made up of Military Policemen, Paratroopers of 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and the troopers of 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, Queensland Mounted Infantry as well as other members of supporting arms and services."

"One of the members there was Trooper Jamie Bodley, a crew commander of an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV). Trooper Bodley impressed me as being a consummate professional soldier... but always with a smile on his face. It was remarkable that a soldier of his relative youth should be in command of a 12-tonne armoured vehicle replete with machine-gun and cannon. But the responsibility sat well on his shoulders."

"Trooper Bodley was 21 years old. From Bribie Island in Queensland, he served in 2nd / 14th Light Horse Regiment, Queensland Mounted Infantry, along with his brother."

"Tragically, he was killed in a motorbike accident upon his return to Australia on the Cunningham's Gap whilst his mother and brother - driving in the car behind - witnessed the whole tragedy. His brother gave him CPR until the ambulance arrived but to no avail."

"Trooper Jamie Bodley was described by his OC, Major Kyle Tyrell as an intelligent, compassionate and highly respected soldier with an excellent sense of humour."

"I know he is sorely missed by his family and comrades.

To see how this image was created, click here.

Students and Teachers, for more information on this image, click here.

Independent Productions and Aviation Services is the website of Conway Bown, Australian Army Official War Artist and Aviation Consultant. Services include portrait painting and other portraiture, aviation services such as CRM - Crew Resource Management - and Helicopter Underwater Escape Training - HUET - which may include Emergency Breathing Systems - EBS - training using Helicopter Aircrew Breathing Devices - HABD - or Helicopter Emergency Egress Device - HEEDs.

During 2006, Conway Bown deployed to the Middle East as the Australian Army's Official War Artist, what the US Armed Forces call Combat Artist. This website features the artwork created during this project as part of the Australian Army's Official Art Scheme.

For more information on War Art, Combat Artists, Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET), Emergency Breathing Systems (EBS) or Crew Resource Management (CRM), please visit the relevant webpages: