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The portrait of the Victoria Cross recipient, painted by Archibald-winning artist Marcus Wills, was unveiled at the Australian War Memorial this week.
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The portrait features Corporal Cam Baird VC MG with three fellow commandos in the background waiting for helicopter extraction in Afghanistan.
CPL Baird was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross in 2014, having served in the 2nd Commando Regiment.
The portrait is intended to keep CPL Baird’s memory alive and honour his actions, Australian War Memorial director Matt Anderson explained.
“In the painting, as in life, Corporal Baird VC MG, is depicted protecting those around him.”
The portrait was crafted following extensive research and consultation with CPL Baird’s family and friends.
“I wanted to paint Cameron as a soldier,” Archibald Prize winner Marcus Wills said.
“I thought about how he might like to be portrayed and how his family and the men who served with Cameron might wish to see him.
“I couldn’t travel to Afghanistan, nor could I meet Cameron, but I hoped to absorb something from afar.
“I thought that perhaps through research and talking with people who knew Cameron, I might be able to glean something which feels authentic … From what I could learn about Cameron, he was respected for ‘leading from the front’.”
CPL Baird is remembered as a compassionate, courageous and gentle person.
Doug Baird OAM explained that the painting was at home at the War Memorial.
“It is something we are extremely proud of … it means the world to us.”
