A Queensland couple were stunned on Anzac Day morning when they saw Ben Roberts-Smith at their front door.
Geoff and Lee were upstairs in their Currumbin home when the doorbell rang. After checking their monitor, they could hardly believe who was outside.
“Holy sh** that’s Ben Roberts-Smith,” Geoff said to his wife Lee.
The couple went downstairs to answer the door, overwhelmed by the unexpected visit.
“We went down and opened the door. Lee was in tears, it was all very emotional,” Geoff said.
Roberts-Smith had been attending the Dawn Service at Currumbin Surf Life Saving Club when he noticed a sign on the couple’s balcony reading “We Support BRS”. He then decided to visit the strangers in person to thank them.
“Ben saw the sign off our balcony and was kind enough to come up and wish us all the best and thank us for our support,” Geoff said.
“We were just in complete shock. He brought his partner, his parents waited in the car, and he introduced us to his family. Our granddaughter took a photo of the three of us together. It was a very kind gesture from him.”
Geoff said he and his wife had put up the sign on Saturday morning, knowing it would be visible from the surf club during the annual Anzac Day service.
“We didn’t even know Ben would be there.”
The couple also fly an Australian flag each year on Anzac Day and Australia Day. Geoff said they simply wanted to show their support.
“Ben has had a rough time so we just wanted to show him support. That’s all.”
Elsewhere on the Gold Coast, Canadian school teacher and content creator Josiah Hein also crossed paths with Roberts-Smith on Saturday morning. After the Dawn Service at Currumbin RSL, Hein filmed a video with him that drew a strong reaction online, with thousands of comments from Australians supporting the Victoria Cross recipient.
“Guys, I’m with Ben Roberts-Smith, one of the most decorated soldiers ever, I think,” Hein said.
“Thanks for your service Ben. I hope you get … all the truth and everything comes out for you, man.”
Roberts-Smith replied: “Thanks mate, appreciate it” and “Hope you enjoy your day”.
Roberts-Smith is on bail after being charged with five counts of war crime murder relating to his time with the Special Air Service Regiment in Afghanistan. He has not yet entered pleas and has denied the allegations. He was released on bail on April 17 after spending 10 days in custody.
