The 30-year-old army private was deployed in March to serve eight months in East Timor as an electronics technician just weeks after the birth of his son Callum.

Corporal Muir said he hoped the trip would act as a stepping stone to a posting in the Middle East.

"It's one of those hard things not being able to be there during the developmental stages, you get photos every couple of days and see they are growing up so fast," he said.

"But there is a positive side about being away on operation, it makes you want to develop a deeper connection with youngsters and a stronger bond when you return."

The deployment is his first since he joined the army in 2006.

"I think it's fantastic being over here(Timor),"' he said.

"My role here is to offer technical advice, service and repair on communication, instrumentation and surveillance kit including night vision, radio transmitters and tactical satellite uplinks."

"I'm really enjoying it, I want to get promoted and get a few more trade courses under my belt," he said.