VC soldier's family pays emotional tribute

Soldier Cameron Baird was a shy, humble man who never sought or liked the limelight, the late Victoria Cross recipient's family says.

Australia's 100th Victoria Cross recipient was shot and killed in Afghanistan in June 2013. He was the 40th Australian soldier to die in a decade of conflict.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced Baird was being given a posthumous VC for extreme bravery.

Corporal Baird's family were in Canberra for the announcement.

His brother Brendan Baird told reporters the announcement was a bittersweet moment for a loving family.

But his brother would have felt more comfortable accepting the award on behalf of his brothers-in-arms.

"Cameron never liked the limelight. He was a humble man," Brendan said.

Corporal Baird's father Doug broke down reading the soldier's code.

He said his son was an outstanding sportsman who should have been drafted as a footballer before he joined the army.

"He was very shy, in that he was more putting praise on the actual unit itself.

"He was an extremely humble person that would probably want to see this sort of thing deflected."