A record of the Operational Service of the Third Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment in South Vietnam from 12th December 1967 - 20th November 1968australia. army. royal australian regiment. battalion, 3rd, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - regimental histories - australia

A record of the Operational Service of the Third Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment in South Vietnam from 12th December 1967 - 20th November 1968australia. army. royal australian regiment. battalion, 3rd, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - regimental histories - australia

A record of the Operational Service of the Third Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment in South Vietnam from 12th December 1967 - 20th November 1968 australia. army. royal australian regiment. battalion, 3rd, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - regimental histories - australia

The Dibb Report into mainland defence of Australia,1986, among other things identified the requirement for protection of key assets in Northern Australia and the possibility of involving Army Reserve (Ares) units in this thus releasing regular forces for offensive operations. Dibb also pointed out that this defined role would result in a huge lift in Ares morale. In June 1988, the 3rd Division (3Div) conducted a Tactical Exercise without Troops (TEWT), Exercise ‘Distant Trumpet’ in the Katherine- Darwin area to study problems associated with defence against low level incursions against Tindal RAAF Base. Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ followed in October of that year when units of the 3Div including A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles sent patrol groups to get a first taste of environment and conditions. Post-Exercise reports had to include recommendations re: health, equipment and adaptation of Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) in preparation for the new role deploying to Northern Australia. The first deployment by 8/13 Vistorian Mounted Rifles was in 1988. Deployments continued i following years. In September 1993, 3 Troop (Wangaratta) VMR Squadron 4/19 PWLH commanded by Captain Kelvin Robertson deployed to NT. The training began with airfield defence at Tindal followed by a 1000km recon into Arnhem Land in four Landrovers. The troop reported on the conditions of the roads, airfields, bridges (mainly causeways) resources such as fuel supplies in the towns and infrastructure. Each troop taking different route. 3 Troop had the Northern route through Kakadu National park across the East Alligator River to Oenpelli then to Maningrida and Ramangining and south to the Central Arnhem Road and back to Tindal Air force Base. Kelvin Robertson enlisted on 6 April 1981 at Cobram where Lieutenant Dan Wyborn was the troop leader at 2 Troop A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles (2TP A SQN 8/13 VMR). He completed the Initial Employment Training Course (IET) and then an M113A1 driver’s course in March 1982. Course Senior Instructor (SI) was Captain (CAPT) John McLean and wing instructor Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Mick Baxter (ex-Driving & Servicing Wing instructor at the School of Armour). He served with 2TP at Cobram as a trooper Driver/Signaller until June 1982 when he was selected for officer training. He served two years as an Officer Cadet in Course 21 at Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU) graduating in June 1984. He returned to 8/13 VMR and completed the 1/85 Army Reserve (ARES) Regimental Officers Basic Course (ROBC Reconnaissance), then was posted immediately as 1 TP LDR for the Hay Booligal Annual Field Exercise (AFX). In 1985 he took command of 2TP at Cobram until Nov 1987 when he transferred to C Squadron First Armoured Regiment (CSQN 1AR). This began six months full time duty in which Lieutenant (LT) Robertson completed the regular army 1/88 (ROBC Tank), and then served as CSQN's first and only ARES Leopard Tank TP LDR until the next ARES LT was trained up as 2TP LDR. He later served as the CSQN Liaison Officer (LO) on the First Brigade (1 Bde) exercise ‘Predators Advance’ and as a staff officer on a Second Division (2Div) exercise. In Jan 1991 he studied at the Reserve Command and Staff College (RCSC). Upon completion of Grade 3 he was promoted to CAPT and transferred back to a reconnaissance troop, 3TP VMR SQN 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse (4/19PWLH) at Wangaratta. CAPT Robertson transferred to the Inactive List in 1994, but in 2011 returned to the Active List serving as Operations Captain (OPS CAPT) at Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers (12/16 HRL)and later Second-In-Command (2IC) Tamworth-based Operations Support Squadron (OPSPT SQN), and at 9 day exercises at Singleton range and an exercise at Townville High Range in Protective Mobility Vehicle (PMV) Bushmasters. In 2013 after completing the ARES Grade 3 Staff Officers course in Brisbane he returned home to Jerilderie and served as 2IC A SQN 4/19 PWLH based at Latchford Barracks Bonegilla. He was awarded the Defence Long Service Medal (DLSM) in 2014. Highlights of his career included being Parade Commander for the 75th anniversary Beersheba parade in Canberra on 31 October 1992. The guard, drawn from the VMR SQN 4/19 PWLH represented the 4th Light Horse Regiment, a participant of the Charge. Then twenty years later, 2012, he was invited to speak at the Quirindi Anzac Day ceremony. On this occasion he was serving with 12/16 HRL, so in two ceremonies, 20 years apart, he had represented both the 4th LHR and the 12th LHR, the two lead Regiments that charged Beersheba. CAPT Robertson was placed on the Inactive List again in 2015. Illustrates Reserve training in NT.Colour image of soldier with landscape in background being Captain Kelvin Robertson 3 Troop Leader (Wangaratta) VMR Squadron 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment looking out over the Arafura swamp near the Maningrida to Ramingining road in Arnhem Land during exercise in the Northern Territory, September 1993.tindal, robertson

On 31 October 1992, a parade was held at Australian War Memorial to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the charge at Beersheba, Egypt (present day Israel) on 31 October 1917 during the second battle of Gaza, by two regiments of Australian Light Horse, 4th ALH and 12th ALH to capture the all-important wells in the town. An Honour Guard drawn from the Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron of 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse, commanded by Lieutenant Kelvin Robertson, paraded in the forecourt of the AWM together with a body of horsemen from the Light Horse Association. Host for the parade was Mrs Elyne Mitchell OAM, daughter of wartime commander Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel. The reviewing officer was Lieutenant General J C Grey OA Chief of the General Staff. Concurrently, a parade was held in Melbourne where 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse and other units and services exercised their right to freedom of the city. The parade concluded at the Shrine where wreaths were laid at the Light Horse memorial and the water trough.Colour photograph of Lieutenant General J Gray inspecting Honour Guard, AWM Beersheba Day, 31 October 1992awm, gray, robertson, beersheba

On 31 October 1992, a parade was held at Australian War Memorial to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the charge at Beersheba, Egypt (present day Israel) on 31 October 1917 during the second battle of Gaza, by two regiments of Australian Light Horse, 4th ALH and 12th ALH to capture the all-important wells in the town. An Honour Guard drawn from the Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron of 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse, commanded by Lieutenant Kelvin Robertson, paraded in the forecourt of the AWM together with a body of horsemen from the Light Horse Association. Host for the parade was Mrs Elyne Mitchell OAM, daughter of wartime commander Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel. The reviewing officer was Lieutenant General J C Grey OA Chief of the General Staff. Concurrently, a parade was held in Melbourne where 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse and other units and services exercised their right to freedom of the city. The parade concluded at the Shrine where wreaths were laid at the Light Horse memorial and the water trough.Colour photograph of VMR Squadron Honour Guard on Beersheba Day parade , Australian War memorial, 31 October 1992.awm, vmr, beersheba day, robertson

On 31 October 1992, a parade was held at Australian War Memorial to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the charge at Beersheba, Egypt (present day Israel) on 31 October 1917 during the second battle of Gaza, by two regiments of Australian Light Horse, 4th ALH and 12th ALH to capture the all-important wells in the town. An Honour Guard drawn from the Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron of 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse, commanded by Lieutenant Kelvin Robertson, paraded in the forecourt of the AWM together with a body of horsemen from the Light Horse Association. Host for the parade was Mrs Elyne Mitchell OAM, daughter of wartime commander Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel. The reviewing officer was Lieutenant General J C Grey OA Chief of the General Staff. Concurrently, a parade was held in Melbourne where 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse and other units and services exercised their right to freedom of the city. The parade concluded at the Shrine where wreaths were laid at the Light Horse memorial and the water trough.Colour photo of Honour Guard marching at Australian War Memorial, Beersheba Day, 31 October 1992. awm, vmr, parade, beersheba day, robertson

On 31 October 1992, a parade was held at Australian War Memorial to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the charge at Beersheba, Egypt (present day Israel) on 31 October 1917 during the second battle of Gaza, by two regiments of Australian Light Horse, 4th ALH and 12th ALH to capture the all-important wells in the town. An Honour Guard drawn from the Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron of 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse, commanded by Lieutenant Kelvin Robertson, paraded in the forecourt of the AWM together with a body of horsemen from the Light Horse Association. Host for the parade was Mrs Elyne Mitchell OAM, daughter of wartime commander Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel. The reviewing officer was Lieutenant General J C Grey OA Chief of the General Staff. Concurrently, a parade was held in Melbourne where 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse and other units and services exercised their right to freedom of the city. The parade concluded at the Shrine where wreaths were laid at the Light Horse memorial and the water trough.Colour photograph of Honour Guard drawn for VMR Squadron 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse dressing ranks at Australian War Memorial, Beersheba Day 31 October 1992.beersheba day, awm, vmr, parade

A copy of photograph in glass wooden frame, it contains text "A digger from the 2/6th Battalion takes a tumble during exercises in the Jafa Ranges 12th June 1940" The photograph is well captured.

This is a set of 12 photographs of A Section, 1st Topographic Survey Troop taken from the 25th of May to the 12th of June 1966 during their deployment to Vung Tau, Vietnam. Led by OC CAPT Bob Skitch, the ten personnel from A Section 1st Topo Svy Tp and six personnel from supporting units were the first contingent from the Royal Australian Survey Corps deployed to provide topographic support to the Australian Task Force in Vietnam. They arrived in Saigon, Vietnam on the 10th of June 1966 enroute to the Australian Reinforcement Unit (ARU) “back beach” camp in Vung Tau. The ten RA Svy technical personnel from 1st Topo Svy Tp deployed were: WO2 David Christie, SGT Stan Campbell, SGT Dave King, CPL Jim Roberts, CPL Dennis Duquemin, CPL Des Ceruti, SPR Derek Chambers, SPR Brian Firns, SPR Joe O’Connor and SPR Ron Smith. External personnel deployed were: WO2 Snow Rollston from Northern Command Field Survey Unit, T/CPL Peter Clarke – orderly room corporal, T/CPL Alan Carew – Technical Storeman, SPR Stan Johns – Map Storeman, SPR Boots Campbell – batman/driver and PTE BNF Brunning – cook. The ship featured in photos .1P and .2P was the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney on its 4th voyage to Vietnam. On board were SGT Stan Campbell and SPR Brian Firns, tasked to manage A Section’s stores and equipment. The rest of A Section deployed to Vietnam by air on the chartered Qantas 707B ‘City of Longreach'. A Section’s main tasks were to establish a Theatre Grid, map compilation and map revision; Engineer Survey Support in the camp and to the civil community; give assistance to the Cordon Search Missions by producing large scale plots from aerial photos with every house and fence etc plotted; and then reproduce these by silk screening usually, within a 24-hour period. RA Svy’s support concluded with the withdrawal of Australian troops from Vietnam in 1972. More information on the A Section, 1st Topographic Survey Troop and the Army Survey Regiment’s supporting role is provided in pages 89 to 94 of Valerie Lovejoy’s book 'Mapmakers of Fortuna – A history of the Army Survey Regiment’ ISBN: 0-646-42120-4.This is a set of 12 photographs of A Section, 1st Topographic Survey Troop (1st Topo Svy Tp), taken from the 25th of May to the 12th of June 1966 during their deployment to Vung Tau, Vietnam. The black and white photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 300 dpi. .1) &.2) - Photo, black & white, 1966. HMAS Sydney departing Woolloomooloo wharf en-route to Vietnam. .3) - Photo, black & white, 1966. A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp relaxing in a bar before deployment. OC CAPT Bob Skitch in centre of photo. .4) - Photo, black & white, 1966. Unidentified A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp personnel and troops from other units relaxing in a bar before deployment. .5) - Photo, black & white, 1966. A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp personnel arrival by bus at Saigon (Tan Son Nhut) Airport. OC CAPT Bob Skitch 4th from right. .6) - Photo, black & white, 1966. A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp personnel boarding the USAF Hercules aircraft enroute from Saigon (Tan Son Nhut) Airport to Vung Tau Airfield. OC CAPT Bob Skitch on left. .7) - Photo, black & white, 1966. A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp personnel and troops from other units boarding the USAF Hercules aircraft enroute from Saigon (Tan Son Nhut) Airport to Vung Tau Airfield. .8) & .9) - Photo, black & white, 1966. A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp personnel arrive at the Australian Reinforcement Unit (ARU) “back beach” camp. .10) - Photo, black & white, 1966. A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp personnel in oppressive conditions work on map products. .11) - Photo, black & white, 1966. Group photo of A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp. OC CAPT Bob Skitch on far right. .12) - Photo, black & white, 1966. Group photo of A Section 1 Topo Svy Tp. OC CAPT Bob Skitch 3rd from right.Annotated with the photo set - ‘ DET 1 Topo Svy Tp Vung Tau 25 May to 12 of Jun 66’royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr, 1st topographical survey troop