Toddler son receives posthumous medal for killed Australian firefighter

RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons presents a posthumous Commendation for Bravery and Service to the son of RFS volunteer Geoffrey Keaton at Keaton's funeral in Buxton, New South Wales, Australia January 2, 2020, in this picture obtained from social media. Mandatory credit NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE/via REUTERS

The toddler son of a volunteer firefighter killed battling wildfires in Australia received one of the service's highest honours on behalf of his father during an emotional funeral on Thursday.

Nineteen-month-old Harvey Keaton stood quietly, sucking on a pacifier, as the fire service commissioner pinned a posthumous commendation for bravery and service to his neatly pressed, oversized Rural Fire Services (RFS) shirt.

Harvey's father, 32-year-old Geoffrey Keaton, was one of three volunteer firefighters killed in recent weeks. Keaton and a colleague died last month when a burnt tree fell in the path of their fire truck, causing it to roll. The third firefighter died this week in what was described by authorities as a "fire tornado".

Mourners stand near the coffin of late RFS volunteer Geoffrey Keaton during his funeral in Buxton, New South Wales, Australia January 2, 2020, in this picture obtained from social media. Mandatory credit NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE/via REUTERS

Dozens of firefighters saluted and formed a guard of honour as Keaton's hearse drove into a Sydney cemetery, according to pictures of the funeral posted online by the fire service.

A mug placed on the coffin had a picture of father and son stick figures and the inscription: "Daddy I love you to the moon and back!"

Another photograph from the funeral showed Harvey being held by his mother, Keaton's fiance Jess Hayes, as they looked at a portrait of the firefighter atop his coffin.

An image of late RFS volunteer Geoffrey Keaton is projected during his funeral in Buxton, New South Wales, Australia January 2, 2020, in this picture obtained from social media. Mandatory credit NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE/via REUTERS

NSW state Royal Fire Services Commissioner Craig Fitzsimmons, who has been giving daily briefings on the crisis, knelt down to pin the medal on Harvey's shirt.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has faced some criticism for his response to the fires, also attended.

The NSW RFS said on Twitter it had "farewelled one of our own".

The coffin of late RFS volunteer Geoffrey Keaton is seen during his funeral in Buxton, New South Wales, Australia January 2, 2020, in this picture obtained from social media. Mandatory credit NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE/via REUTERS

Eight people have been killed by wildfires in the eastern states of New South Wales and Victoria since Monday, and 18 are still missing.

Fierce fires have flared around Australia for several weeks, prompting mass evacuations, devastating towns and destroying homes. They have also raised questions about Australia's readiness to deal with climate change.

A hearse transporting the coffin of late RFS volunteer Geoffrey Keaton is seen during his funeral in Buxton, New South Wales, Australia January 2, 2020, in this picture obtained from social media. Mandatory credit NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE/via REUTERS

(Reporting by Jonathan Barrett in Sydney; editing by Jane Wardell)