Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of diggers from 1 Platoon, A Company, 8 RAR on Operation Atherton 11 miles North West of the Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat, watch one of their wounded mates winched out of the thick jungle to be casavaced to hospital. Casualities were 1 dead and 14 wounded.photograph, 1 platoon, a coy, 8 rar, operation atherton, gibbons collection catalogue, wounded serviceman, australian task force, nui dat, diggers, killed in action, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Contact, Contact, Contact, late afternoon,Platoon strength North West of 1ATF 'Operation Atherton' 10 December 1969. 1 Platoon, A Company, 8 RAR diggers under heavy machin gun, AK47, rifle and RPG fire. A digger moves forward into a better fire positionphotograph, 1 atf, operation atherton, 1 platoon, a coy, 8 rar, gibbons collection catalogue, machine gun, ak47, digger, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Contact, Contact, Contact, late afternoon Platoon strength, North West of 1ATF 'Operation Atherton' 10 December 1969. 1 Platoon, A Company 8 RAR diggers under heavy machin gun, AK47, rifle and RPG fire. Cpl Torrens and a digger move to better coverphotograph, 1 atf, operation atherton, 1 platoon, a coy, 8 rar, cpl torrens, gibbons collection catalogue, diggers, digger, machine gun, ak47, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Contact, contact, Contact, late afternoon, Platoon strength North West of 1ATF 'Operation Atherton' 10 December 1969. 1 Platoon, A Company, 8 RAR under heavy machin gun fire, automatic weapon, rifle and RPG fire. A wounded digger is pulled away from a bunkerphotograph, 1 atf, operation atherton, 1 platoon, a coy, 8 rar, rpg, gibbons collection catalogue, digger, wounded serviceman, ak47, machine gun, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of diggers from 1 Platoon, A Company, 8 RAR, on Operation Atherton, 11 miles North West of the Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat, led by Cpl Ian Torrens, extract a wounded digger by dragging him by the scruff of the neck. Casualities were 1 dead and 14 wounded.photograph, 1 platoon, a coy, 8 rar, gibbons collection catalogue, operation atherton, cpl ian torrens, wounded serviceman, kia, australian task force, diggers, killed in action, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph Contact, Contact, Contact, late afternoon, Platoon strength North West of 1ATF 'Operation Atherton' 10 December 1969. 1 Platoon, A Company, 8 RAR under heavy machin gun, AK47, rifle and RPG fire. Pte R.J. Asmus moves forward to a better fire positionphotograph, 1 atf, operation atherton, 1 platoon, a coy, 8 rar, rpg, pte asmus, gibbons collection catalogue, machine gun, ak47, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Contact, Contact, Contact, late afternoon, Platoon strength North West of 1ATF 'Operation Atherton' 10 December 1969. 1 Platoon, A Company, 8 RAR under heavy machin gun fire, AK47, rifle and RPG fire. Cpl I.G. Torrens crawls back to better coverphotograph, 1 atf, operation atherton, 1 platoon, a coy, 8 rar, rpg, gibbons collection catalogue, ak47, cpl ian torrens, machine gun, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Contact, Contact, Contact, late afternoon, Platoon strength North West of 1ATF 'Operation Atherton' 10 December 1969. 1 Platoon, A Company, 8 RAR. A M60 Machine Gunner looks back as schrapnel from an RPG tears into his side, his Number two is also hitphotograph, 1 atf, operation atherton, 1 platoon, a coy, 8 rar, rpg, m60 machine gun, gibbons collection catalogue, wounded serviceman, digger, gunner, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph Contact, contact, Contact, late afternoon, Platoon strength North West of 1ATF 'Operation Atherton' 10 December 1969. 1 Platoon, A Company, 8 RAR. under fire from heavy machingun fire, AK47 and RPG fire. A digger reels back after being hit by enemy firephotograph, 1 atf, operation atherton, 1 platoon, a coy, 8 rar, gibbons collection catalogue, wounded serviceman, ak47, machine gun, digger, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of in Fire Support Base 'Peggy', LT Col O'Neill C.O. 8 RAR, with Maj Phil Jeffrey O.C., B Company, and O.C. 161 Battery RNZA study maps during a situation report and an orders group,during Operation Atherton, North West of the 1 ATF Base at Nui Dat (Circa December 1969)photograph, support base peggy, lt col o'neill, 8 rar, maj phil jeffrey, b coy, 161 battery, 161 battery rnza, operation atherton, gibbons collection catalogue, 1 atf base, nui dat, fire support base peggy, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of the ambush site at Hoa Long, by 8 Platoon, C Coy 8 RAR on the night of 12/07/1970 Sgt CJ Sherrin MM observed 50 to 60 NVA/VietCong pass into Hoa Long at 2100 hrs. At 0315 hrs the enemy returned and were engaged with claymores and machine gun fire, resulting in seventeen dead.photograph, 8 rar, c coy, sgt cj sherrin, nva/vc, hoa long, gibbons collection catalogue, military medal, 8 platoon, claymore mine, machine gun, killed in action, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Private Dave Henderson, a wounded forward scout from 8 RAR, as he contemplates the rolling surf at the Back Beach, near the 1st Australian Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam. Red Cross conducted daily trips to the beach. Pte Henderson suffered a severe leg wound, when shot by a NVA/VietCont, using an AK47 assult rifle.photograph, pte dave henderson, 8 rar, back beach, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, red cross, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, forward scout, nva/vietcont, ak 47

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of diggers from 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, battle their way through mangled vegetation following massive artillery fire on a bunker complex in the Hat Dich arae South West of the Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Provincephotograph, 8 rar, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, 8th battalion, australian task force, phuoc tuy province, hat dich, diggers, denis gibbons

Growing up in a small Victorian country town during the 1950's I saw many an Anzac Day march. They were really big parades, with brass and highland bands. As children we would follow the march along the main street to the Public Hall where they would hold a service.vietnam war, 1961-1975, personal narratives - australian, b coy, 8 rar, neil roberts

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A colour photograph of Hat Dich, South Vietnam, December 1969. Australian United Press International War Correspondent Denis Gibbons, in a night harbour position with members of the 8th Battalion from the Royal Australian Regiment, watches a medic burn contaminated dressings following the treatment of wounded diggers in a contact with the NVA/VietCong.photograph, hat dich, united press international, war correspondents - australia, 8th battalion, royal australian regiment, medic, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue, 8 rar, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, (1961-1975). history- sources, nva viet cong

In 1967, Brigadier Stuart Graham issued the calamitous order: First Australian Task Force would construct an 11 kilometre 'barrier fence and minefield' containing over 20,000 powerful M16 landmines in Phuoc Tuy Province, Southern Vietnam. The purpose of the 'barrier' was to separate and to shield the majority of the population in the south-west province from his enemy's regular forces in the north and east.australia. army. australian task force (vietnam), land mines -- phuoc tuy (vietnam : province), 8rar, 8 rar, operation hammersley, m16 landmines, brigadier stuart graham, operation pinaroo, operation leeton

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Contact, contact, Contact, late afternoon, platoon strength, North West of 1ATF, Operation Atherton, 10 December 1969, 1 Platoon, A Company, 8RAR, Pte Graeme C Piltz goes to ground under fire from heavy machine gun, automatic weapon, rifle and RPG firephotograph, pte graeme c piltz, 8 rar, gibbons collection catalogue, 1 atf, operation atherton, 1 platoon, a company, denis gibbons

Black Saturday explosion by rocket mines in Sth Vietnam. Vung Tau and Nui Dat hospitals involved in helping the wounded soldiers. Australian and US helicopters in action. 8 RAR and 6RAR involved.A sepia coloured newspaper article from the Herald, dated March 2 1970, has an image of 13 local Vietnamese people working in paddy fields with five rifles nearby stacked up forming a cone shape. Herald Sun March 2nd 1970/ Guns at harvest/ Battle to save hurt diggers. guns, harvest, mine explosion, black saturday, long hai mountains, helicopter evacuation, 11 dead, 29 wounded, jumping mines, 8rar & 6rar

Items issued to and worn by Leonard John Young in Malaya. Regt No 3793454 National Serviceman served in Malaya with 8 RAR then Vietnam with from 17.11.1969 - 25.3 1970 when his 2 years were up, discharged with the rank of L/Cpl. Refer Cat No 1181.3 for details.1) Shirt green colour cotton, heavily starched with sleeves rolled up, has two arm patches, one a "Rising sun" and second is a "Commonwealth" in two blues with crown on. .2) Shirt khaki colour, heavy cotton, long sleeves British pattern for tropical use. .1 On tag in texta, "A82" being a washing number. .2) On tag, "Size 2 E.R. Ltd 1952"uniforms, shirts, malaya

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Platoon strength contact in the late afternoon NW of 1ATF 'Operation Atherton' 10/12/1969. 1 Platoon, A Coy 8 RAR Pte Robinson begins his ascent to the dustoff helicopter watched by the Diggers below.photograph, 1 atf, operation atherton, 1 platoon, a coy, 8rar, dustoff, digger, gibbons collection catalogue, pte robinson, denis gibbons

Souvenired by Leonard John Young No 3793454 (National Serviceman) John served with the 8th Batt RAR in Malaya for approx 6 months from 1968 to 1969 while training for service in Vietnam. He then served in A Coy 8 RAR Vietnam from 17.11.69 to 25.3.70 returning home then with the rank of L/Cpl as his 2 years service was due to finish..1) Clacker - the ignition system that sets off a claymore mine. .2) Cable - Part of a Claymore mine .3) Bag for carrying ignition system with green canvas carry strap..1) Firing Device Electrical M57arms - mines, military histoyr, claymore, clacker

Issued to WATERSTON, David Raymond 3170581, 6 RAR VIETNAM 8 MAY 1969 TO 16 MAY 1970.Shoes- pair, black leather with black fabric laces. Leather soles.Size label moulded into sole “7/5”footwear, leather shoes, army uniform

Belonged to National Serviceman N J T Fothergill, Service no: 6708473, served in 3 RAR, 1967-8.Dark green plastic cover with broad arrow on front. Inside are plastic sleeves containing information about tactical problems. There is also a blue coloured booklet titled, Career Courses, Officers Wing, Booklet inside back cover. Edges of back cover reinforced with black tape.aide memoire, fothergill, tactics, infantry, 3 rar

Belonged to National Serviceman N J T Fothergill, Service no: 6708473, served in 3 RAR, 1967-8.Green plastic booklet of plastic sleeves. Edges of cover reinforced with black tape. Contains instructions for various military situations.aide memoire, manual, training

Belonged to National Serviceman N J T Fothergill, Service no: 6708473, served in 3 RAR, 1967-8.A blue plastic cover, pages bound into cover with metal screws. Information of the front of the booklet is in white. Top right hand corner reads DSN 7610-66-034-9288. The Australian Army Insigni is in the middle of the cover with Australian Army written under this. The cover opens upwards.6708473. N. Fothergill Lt.fothergill, infantry manual, 3 rar

Peter Ball was conscripted for two years National Service beginning on 23.4.1969 Regt No 3796117. Postings, Recruit Training Puckapunyal Vic, Infantry Corp Training Singleton NSW, Infantry Corp Reinforcement Wing Ingleburn NSW, Jungle Training Centre Canungra QLD 3 weeks, ankle injury 5.9.69, return to Ingleburn, Basic Signals Course Ingleburn 5.11.69 - 10.12.69, Volunteered for service Vietnam, passed medically fit, fly out 3.3.1970 for Saigon, posted to Reinforcement Wing Nui Dat for 3 weeks acclimatisation training, posted to 6 Pl B Coy 8 RAR 25.3.70, embark HMAS Sydney for Australia 1.11.70, disembark Brisbane 12.11.70, posted to Enogerra Barracks Brisbane, posted to Vic Barracks Melbourne 5.3.1971 for discharge, posted to Sale 2 weeks with CMF fortnight Camp, discharged from the Army 23.4.1971 with the rank of PTE. Enlist in the CMF Geraldton WA in A Coy 16 RWAR on 24.6.1978 same Regt No, discharged re interstate transfer on 18.2.1981, rank L/Cpl.Pay Book No C 23443, brown covers with green tape on binding, print in black on front, hand written in black texta, white label on with hand writing in blue pen, 40 pages with entries in blue & red hand writing, large purple “DISCHARGED” stamp on many pages, rear page has a yellow envelope taped on with 3 X “Pay Book variation Authority” slips in, off white, layout in green, typing in black with red hand written items on, rear page cover has photo of a soldier with name, rank and date onFront cover in texta, “3796117 BALL PETER CHARLES”, date stamp on page 1 “23 APR 1969”, rear page photo date has ,”26.4.69”. Pay book Variations Authorities dated, “14.12.70, 14.12.70, 15.12.70” pay books, administrative record, soldiers

Large presentation board consiting of 3 varnished horizontal timber panels with 28 presentation plaques affixed. The plaques affixed are (RMC MUR + 2 TG + 3 TG + 6 TG + PWLH + 1 CAV + VMR + 2/14 QMI + 7 RTR + 1 RVR + 1 RVR + 6 RVR + 3 RVR + 5/6 RVR + 22RVR + 8/7 RVR + 17 RNSWR + 58/32 CER + 1 RVR + 3 RAR + 5 RAR + 7 RAR + WO2 White + 5/7 RAR +6 RAR + 8/9 RAR + JTC)5/6 rvr, plaque, bhq

Operation Hammersley , 10 February until 9 March 1970, was undertaken by a combined force of: C Company, 8th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (8RAR); armoured personnel carriers from 3 Cavalry Regiment; tanks from 1 Armoured Regiment; sappers from the Royal Australian Engineers; a mortar section from 8RAR’s Support Company; air support, and even a Navy destroyer off-shore to provide gunfire support. The operation aimed to protect 17 Construction Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers, at a quarry in the western foothills of the Long Hai hills. The Long Hai hills were a stronghold for the Viet Cong, who used the caves there as a bunker complex and had planted many landmines and booby traps in the area. Over two fierce weeks, 8 RAR carried out patrols and conducted ambushes, engaging VC troops and eventually capturing the bunker system. However, it was a costly campaign. In total, over 70 Australians were killed or wounded during the operation. The worst day for mine casualties in Australia's war in Vietnam occurred on 28 February 1970. It became known as 'Black Saturday". Nine members of 8RAR were killed and 29 wounded. This item is the Order of Service from the memorial service held at Nui Dat on 3 April 1970 to honour those killed at Long Hai. It was issued to the donor, National Serviceman G G Ravenscroft, who was serving in 1 Platoon, A Company 8RAR during Operation Hammersley, and received a minor shrapnel wound on Black Saturday.Two typed A-4 pages that have been folded into booklet, now flattened and framed. Listed are the prayers, Bible readings and sermon given, along with the names of the 8 fallen soldiers, and the chaplains who officiated.8rar, long hai, long hai hills, black saturday, 1970, operation hammersley, ravenscroft, geoff ravenscroft, memorial service