Talk:Ben Roberts-Smith/GA1

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| result = Passed. GMH Melbourne (talk) 01:13, 7 May 2025 (UTC)

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{{Good article tools}}

{{al|{{#titleparts:Ben Roberts-Smith/GA1|-1}}|noname=yes}}
:This review is transcluded from Talk:Ben Roberts-Smith/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.

Nominator: {{User|TarnishedPath}} 11:26, 18 April 2025 (UTC)

Reviewer: GMH Melbourne (talk · contribs) 07:38, 21 April 2025 (UTC)

Hello, I will review this article. I have started with a spot check below and aim to complete the review over the next couple of days. GMH Melbourne (talk) 07:38, 21 April 2025 (UTC)

class="wikitable" style="width: 100%; width:50em"
height=50 | GA review {{small|(see here for what the criteria are, and here for what they are not)}}
#It is reasonably well written. :a (prose, spelling, and grammar): {{GAList/check|y}} b (MoS for lead, layout, word choice, fiction, and lists): {{GAList/check|y}} It is factually accurate and verifiable, as shown by a source spot-check. :a (references): {{GAList/check|y}} b (citations to reliable sources): {{GAList/check|y}} c (OR): {{GAList/check|y}} d (copyvio and plagiarism): {{GAList/check|y}} It is broad in its coverage. :a (major aspects): {{GAList/check|y}} b (focused): {{GAList/check|y}} It follows the neutral point of view policy. :Fair representation without bias: {{GAList/check|y}} It is stable. :No edit wars, etc.: {{GAList/check|y}} It is illustrated by images, where possible and appropriate. :a (images are tagged and non-free images have fair use rationales): {{GAList/check|y}} b (appropriate use with suitable captions): {{GAList/check|y}}
style="text-align:center;" | Overall: Pass/Fail: {{GAList/check|y}}
height=30|15px · 15px · 15px · 15px

I reviewed 20 sources and there were no major issues re verifiability or copyright. I will be checking direct quotes and potentially contentious material more closely later in the review. GMH Melbourne (talk) 07:38, 21 April 2025 (UTC)

:@GMH Melbourne thankyou in advance for your time undertaking this review. I recently put the article through peer review, so hopefully any issues are reduced. If you do find anything which is not supported by a source, it is probably likely because of me moving sources around and re-organising things and it shouldn't take too much effort to rectify with sources already in the article. TarnishedPath^talk 08:03, 21 April 2025 (UTC)

No issues with the reference list. Earwig's Copyvio Detector reports high levels of similarity to sources. This is mainly due to quotations, job titles, and organisation names. There are a few instances of what could be seen as close paraphrasing, but I would say this definitely falls under WP:LIMITED. The article is stable. The article is well illustrated with four images, all being PD, and having suitable captions. The three images in the Military career and decorations section do not have WP:ALTs. GMH Melbourne (talk) 10:22, 21 April 2025 (UTC)

:{{done}} added alts to the three images. TarnishedPath^talk 10:49, 21 April 2025 (UTC)

Looking at the references in a bit more detail: [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Roberts-Smith&oldid=1286681472#cite_note-39 FN 39] is missing details about website/publisher and author. [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Roberts-Smith&oldid=1286681472#cite_note-47 FN 47] the publisher is styled weirdly with caps lock, inconsistent with other instances in the ref list. [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Roberts-Smith&oldid=1286681472#cite_note-99 FN 99] is an AV source; there isn't a timestamp or URL to the documentary, and FN98 verifies the material. I would say it is best to remove it (happy to hear your thoughts if you disagree). [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Roberts-Smith&oldid=1286681472#cite_note-83 FN 83] appears to be incorrectly placed and an identical reference to FN81. A number of sources are of court documents, which is fine as long as they aren't being used to support assertions of a BLP (WP:BLPPRIMARY), I have checked and they all seem fine except for [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Roberts-Smith&oldid=1286681472#cite_note-57 FN 57] which can probably be fixed by being moved to the end of the paragraph. GMH Melbourne (talk) 12:30, 21 April 2025 (UTC)

:@GMH Melbourne {{done}} TarnishedPath^talk 04:09, 22 April 2025 (UTC)

The See Also section is incorrectly capitalised. There are a few paragraphs (particularly in the Defamation suit section) that are single-sentence paragraphs, which is not ideal as per MOS:PARA and WP:PROSELINE. I feel the Military career and Decorations section is too short, there is only half a paragraph dedicated to how Roberts-Smith received a Victoria Cross, which is a pretty big deal (and the same with his Medal for Gallantry). There are a few articles listed at Victoria Cross for Australia#Recipients which could give you an idea on how to expand the section, also [https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20120404001724/http://defence.gov.au/special_events/Roberts-Smith/index.htm this source] seems to go into a bit of detail of how these honours were earned. GMH Melbourne (talk) 13:26, 22 April 2025 (UTC)

:@GMH Melbourne, I've undertaken a bit of reorganisation to the defamation suit section. I'll look at the Military career and Decorations section section later on tonight. In the meantime if you have a chance to at what I've done, please let me know if you suggest any further work. TarnishedPath^talk 23:29, 22 April 2025 (UTC)

::Happy with that. GMH Melbourne (talk) 07:38, 23 April 2025 (UTC)

:::Just separated the military section into subsections. Not sure how much more work I'll get done tonight. I've had a look at other Australian VC holders and I've gotten an idea of what I think is appropriate. TarnishedPath^talk 08:35, 23 April 2025 (UTC)

::::Sorry not going to be able to do any work on it tonight (tying this from my phone) as I've got covers over everything while the house is being painted. TarnishedPath^talk 10:13, 24 April 2025 (UTC)

:::::No problem at all. I am in no rush myself. GMH Melbourne (talk) 11:13, 24 April 2025 (UTC)

::::::@GMH Melbourne, I've expanded the material on why the VC was awarded. Please have a look and let me know if it looks good. Anything else? TarnishedPath^talk 08:17, 27 April 2025 (UTC)

::::::@GMH Melbourne is there anything you want me to do? TarnishedPath^talk 13:51, 3 May 2025 (UTC)

:::::::Hello, I am sorry for the delay. Thank you for your additions regarding the Victoria Cross. To properly address 3a of the criteria there would need to be a bit more info on the Medal for Gallantry (perhaps a paragraph). Also if you can find any info relating to his service from 2006 - 2009 it would be good to add it (not required). I will start the prose review in the meantime. GMH Melbourne (talk) 05:37, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

::::::::No worries. I'll see what I can add regarding the Medal of Gallantry today and while I'm reading for that if I see any additional detail regarding 2006 - 2009 I'll add that also. TarnishedPath^talk 05:50, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

:::::::::@GMH Melbourne, I've expanded on BRS's actions which lead to the award of the Medal of Gallantry. Can you please review and provide and feedback. Please also see any comments that I've made below and provide any additional feedback as required. TarnishedPath^talk 10:01, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

:::::::::: That does the job RE 3a. Thank you! GMH Melbourne (talk) 11:49, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

In the 1st paragraph of the Afghanistan section refer to and wikilink the 2006 Dutch/Australian Offensive. Likewise, around the 3rd refer to and wikilink the Shah Wali Kot Offensive and include a reference. GMH Melbourne (talk) 23:49, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

:@GMH Melbourne {{done}}. Please have a look and let me know if it's what you had in mind.

:Ps, I also added some extra material to the early life/education section about BRS playing sport during high school and being awarded his school's best and fairest. TarnishedPath^talk 00:26, 7 May 2025 (UTC)

::Looks good! GMH Melbourne (talk) 00:39, 7 May 2025 (UTC)

Preliminary look

• Typo with quote: {{!xt|If you’re going to make accusations, cunt, you’d better...}} the source says: {{xt|If you’re going to make accusations, cunt, you better...}}

::{{done}} TarnishedPath^talk 10:42, 21 April 2025 (UTC)

• Seems to be a typo at {{xt|Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce,

::{{done}}TarnishedPath^talk 10:42, 21 April 2025 (UTC)

General

• There are a few inconsistent abbreviations of SAS vs SASR.

::{{done}} TarnishedPath^talk 08:16, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

Lede section

• The opening sentence is too specific and doesn't include the fact that he was an Australian soldier. I suggest removing the years listed and opening with something like: BRS is a former Australian soldier and a recipient of the VC...

• Wikilink "Afghanistan" and the first instance of "Australian Army" rather than the second.

• {{!xt|In 2004, Roberts-Smith was part in operations off Fiji.}} ---> {{xt|In 2004, Roberts-Smith was a part of operations off Fiji.}}

• {{!xt|...it was reported that in 2006 he had...}} add comma after "2006"

• {{!xt|...ABC reported that it has been...}} change "has" to "had" (duplicate error in the War crime allegations section)

• {{!xt|...proceedings against Nine Entertainment publications The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, and against The Canberra Times, and also named...}} ---> {{xt|...proceedings against Nine Entertainment publications The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, The Canberra Times, and also named...}} per WP:OCOMMA

::{{done}} TarnishedPath^talk 08:16, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

Early life, family and education

• {{!xt|At school, Ben developed a reputation for standing over smaller students.}} is somewhat MOS:WEASEL. Rather, quote it from the source, be more direct, or remove it altogether.

::@GMH Melbourne from the source: "{{tq|In the schoolyard, Roberts-Smith developed a reputation for standing over those who were smaller than him, which by his later high school years left an entire student cohort to intimidate}}".

::Please let me know if there is any change you suggest. TarnishedPath^talk 08:16, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

::: If there is another source that can support it, that would be ideal, that way we can be more direct in saying something like {{xt|Roberts-Smith was known to be a bully at school}}. I would say either turn it into a quote saying something like {{xt|In journalist Nick McKenzie's biography on Roberts-Smith, it was claimed that...}} or remove the sentence altogether. GMH Melbourne (talk) 11:49, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

::::@GMH Melbourne, I've adjusted the prose to:

::::{{tq|In journalist Nick McKenzie's book on Roberts-Smith, it was claimed that Ben developed a reputation for standing over smaller students at school.}}

::::Please let me know if this is suitable. TarnishedPath^talk 12:07, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

::::: Yes. GMH Melbourne (talk) 23:49, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

Early Career

• {{!xt|selection course in 2003, and}} remove comma.

• {{!xt|operations off Fiji in 2004, and}} remove comma.

::{{done}}

Afghanistan

• (if possible) add a wikilink to Australia in the War in Afghanistan somewhere in the section.

• {{!xt|...his role, as a patrol scout and sniper, in an operation in Afghanistan...}} ---> {{xt|...his role as a patrol scout and sniper during an operation in Afghanistan...}}

• {{!xt|In 11 June 2010}} ---> {{xt|On 11 June 2010}}

• Add comma after {{tqq|helicopter insertion}}

• {{!xt|rocket propelled grenade}} ---> {{xt|rocket-propelled grenade}} (and perhaps wikilink it)

• Add comma after {{tqq|With air support}}

• {{!xt|fought towards the enemy position, until at 40 metres}}

• Paragraph 3: The first sentence isn't clear.

• Paragraph 4: missing comma incorrect spelling of Roberts-Smith {{!xt|Robert-Smith's}} ---> {{xt|, Roberts-Smith's}}

• Add a comma after {{tqq|throw a grenade}}

• Remove apostrophe at {{tqq|remaining two positions'.}}

• Wikilink and add comma after {{tqq|Tizak}}

• As it is the first instance since the lede, change {{!xt|VC}} to {{xt|Victoria Cross (VC)}}

• Perhaps move the last paragraph to the Post career section

::Mostly {{done}}. @GMH Melbourne please let me know if what I did to the first sentence of paragraph three makes it clear. Also I don't know if the last paragraph of the Afghanistan section can be moved to post career without splitting it and then I'm concerned about having two small paragraphs. Please let me know if this is necessary.

::Ps, I'll get to expanding the Medal of Gallantry stuff after dinner. TarnishedPath^talk 08:34, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

::: Happy with that. Please see my review for the new paragraphs in the Afghanistan section below. GMH Melbourne (talk) 11:49, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

• {{!xt|On 31st May 2006}} ---> {{xt|On 31 May 2006,}}

• {{!xt|snipper}} ---> {{xt|sniper}}

• {{!xt|2nd June}} ---> {{xt|2 June}}

• Add comma after {{xt|In one instance}}

• Add comma after {{xt|outflank the position}}

• {{!xt|kill the enemies}} ---> {{xt|kill the enemy}}

• Add comma after {{xt|Following the previous incident}}

• Add comma after {{xt|from a different position}}

• Add comma after {{xt|While separated}}

• {{!xt|the 2nd of June}} ---> {{xt|2 June}}

• Add comma after {{xt|In 2012}}

::{{done}} TarnishedPath^talk 11:59, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

Post career

• Add comma after {{xt|Western Australia}}

• Capitalise {{xt|prime minister}}

• {{!xt|In September 2024 it was reported that}} ---> {{xt|In September 2024 it was reported by The Sydney Morning Herald that}}

• {{!xt|The same report}} ---> {{xt|The same article}}

::{{done}} TarnishedPath^talk 11:59, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

Corporate career

• {{!xt|with a view to establishing}} ---> {{xt|looking to establish}}

• Add comma after {{xt|age 38 and said}}

• {{!xt|Nevertheless, he was appointed deputy general manager of regional television network Seven Queensland in April 2015, and two months later promoted to general manager.}} ---> {{xt|In April 2015, he was appointed deputy general manager of regional television for network Seven Queensland, and two months later, promoted to general manager.}}

• {{!xt|Roberts-Smith however felt}} ---> {{xt|Roberts-Smith, however, felt}}

::@GMH Melbourne {{done}}. TarnishedPath^talk 12:03, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

War crime allegations

• Add comma after {{xt|Oakes wrote}}

• wikilink Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force

• Add a comma after {{xt|several of his fellow soldiers}}

• wikilink Australian federal police

• * {{!xt|taskforce}} ---> {{xt|task force}}

• {{!xt|federal police investigators}} ---> {{xt|AFP investigators}}

::{{done}} TarnishedPath^talk 01:01, 7 May 2025 (UTC)

Defamation suit

• Add a comma after {{xt|January 2019}}

• Remove {{!xt|The Federal Court established an online file in view of the public interest where documents were placed when considered suitable for public access.}}. It isn't verified by an independent source and is a bit trivial.

• Add commas after {{xt|private investment company}} and {{xt|Australian Capital Equity (ACE)}}

• {{!xt|On 1 September 2020, Dawson}}: establish who Dawson is in the first instance and then use only the last name in the second instance.

• {{!xt|back yard}} ---> {{!xt|backyard}}

• {{!xt|spoke during}} ---> {{xt|spoke at}}

• {{!xt|conveyed}} ---> {{xt|said}} per MOS:SAID

::{{done}} TarnishedPath^talk 01:01, 7 May 2025 (UTC)

Judgment

• wikilink Anthony Besanko

• {{xt|Evidence Act}} is an ambitious term. Add the year and jurisdiction (ie. Evidence Act 1929 (SA))

• Add a comma after {{xt|followed the Briginshaw principle}}

• Add a comma after {{xt|108 mission in 2009}}

• Add a comma after {{xt|in 2010}}

• Wikilink {{xt|International Criminal Court}}

• Add a comma after {{xt|harm Roberts-Smith's reputation}}

• {{!xt|percent}} ---> {{xt|per cent}}

::{{done}} TarnishedPath^talk 01:01, 7 May 2025 (UTC)

Appeal

• {{!xt|the court has not as yet}} ---> {{xt|the court has not yet}}

• {{!xt|judgement}} ---> {{xt|judgment}}

• {{tqq|On 1 May 2025, a secret recording between Nick McKenzie...}} add detail about the recording

::{{done}} TarnishedPath^talk 01:01, 7 May 2025 (UTC)

Personal life

• {{!xt|Roberts-Smith met Emma Groom...}} establish Groom as Roberts-Smith's now ex-wife

• {{!xt|at a army ball}} ---> {{xt|at an army ball}}

• {{!xt|having affair}} ---> {{xt|having an affair}}

• {{!xt|the legal costs of his ex-wife}} ---> {{xt|his ex-wife's legal costs}}

::{{done}} @GMH Melbourne please let me know any further suggestions. TarnishedPath^talk 01:01, 7 May 2025 (UTC)

::: Thank you. I have done a bit of copyediting myself. I will have one final read before completing the review. GMH Melbourne (talk) 01:11, 7 May 2025 (UTC)

{{abot}}