In 1985, the portion of Puckapunyal Army Camp housing the Armoured School and Corps Museum underwent a major rebuild. The new facility named Hopkins Barracks was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles on 31 October 1985. Prince Charles, who was accompanied by his wife HRH Princess Diana, is Colonel in Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC). The Barracks is named to honour Major General R N L Hopkins who was instrumental in the development of the RAAC and is affectionally known as the ‘father of the Corps’.Part of collection of photographs of a rare event on the Australian military calendar, the opening of Hopkins Barracks Puckapunyal by HRH Prince Charles, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) on 31 October 1985.Two coloured photographs showing guidon parties during March Past.

In 1985, the portion of Puckapunyal Army Camp housing the Armoured School and Corps Museum underwent a major rebuild. The new facility named Hopkins Barracks was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles on 31 October 1985. Prince Charles, who was accompanied by his wife HRH Princess Diana, is Colonel in Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC). The Barracks is named to honour Major General R N L Hopkins who was instrumental in the development of the RAAC and is affectionally known as the ‘father of the Corps’.Part of collection of photographs of a rare event on the Australian military calendar, the opening of Hopkins Barracks Puckapunyal by HRH Prince Charles, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) on 31 October 1985.Colour photograph showing massed band, Army and Navy, at Puckapunyal.

In 1985, the portion of Puckapunyal Army Camp housing the Armoured School and Corps Museum underwent a major rebuild. The new facility named Hopkins Barracks was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles on 31 October 1985. Prince Charles, who was accompanied by his wife HRH Princess Diana, is Colonel in Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC). The Barracks is named to honour Major General R N L Hopkins who was instrumental in the development of the RAAC and is affectionally known as the ‘father of the Corps’.Part of collection of photographs of a rare event on the Australian military calendar, the opening of Hopkins Barracks Puckapunyal by HRH Prince Charles, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) on 31 October 1985Three colour photographs of Prince Charles mounting the saluting dais.

In 1985, the portion of Puckapunyal Army Camp housing the Armoured School and Corps Museum underwent a major rebuild. The new facility named Hopkins Barracks was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles on 31 October 1985. Prince Charles, who was accompanied by his wife HRH Princess Diana, is Colonel in Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC). The Barracks is named to honour Major General R N L Hopkins who was instrumental in the development of the RAAC and is affectionally known as the ‘father of the Corps’.Part of collection of photographs of a rare event on the Australian military calendar, the opening of Hopkins Barracks Puckapunyal by HRH Prince Charles, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) on 31 October 1985.Four colour photographs showing the guidon parties leading the march past.

The Light horse Heritage Troop of the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles provided mounted escort to the Royal couple, HRH Prince Charles and HRH Princess Diana.In 1985, the portion of Puckapunyal Army Camp housing the Armoured School and Corps Museum underwent a major rebuild. The new facility named Hopkins Barracks was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles on 31 October 1985. Prince Charles, who was accompanied by his wife HRH Princess Diana, is Colonel in Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC). The Barracks is named to honour Major General R N L Hopkins who was instrumental in the development of the RAAC and is affectionally known as the ‘father of the Corps’.Part of collection of photographs of a rare event on the Australian military calendar, the opening of Hopkins Barracks Puckapunyal by HRH Prince Charles, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) on 31 October 1985.Coloured photograph showing mounted escort with Royal Car passing the Tank Museum on way to Parade Ground at Puckapunyal.

The Light horse Heritage Troop of the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles provided mounted escort to the Royal couple, HRH Prince Charles and HRH Princess Diana.In 1985, the portion of Puckapunyal Army Camp housing the Armoured School and Corps Museum underwent a major rebuild. The new facility named Hopkins Barracks was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles on 31 October 1985. Prince Charles, who was accompanied by his wife HRH Princess Diana, is Colonel in Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC). The Barracks is named to honour Major General R N L Hopkins who was instrumental in the development of the RAAC and is affectionally known as the ‘father of the Corps’.Part of collection of photographs of a rare event on the Australian military calendar, the opening of Hopkins Barracks Puckapunyal by HRH Prince Charles, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) on 31 October 1985.Colour photograph of crowd in viewing stand awaiting arrival of the Royal Car and mounted escort which can be seen on edge of parade ground.

The Light horse Heritage Troop of the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles provided mounted escort to the Royal couple, HRH Prince Charles and HRH Princess Diana. In 1985, the portion of Puckapunyal Army Camp housing the Armoured School and Corps Museum underwent a major rebuild. The new facility named Hopkins Barracks was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles on 31 October 1985. Prince Charles, who was accompanied by his wife HRH Princess Diana, is Colonel in Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC). The Barracks is named to honour Major General R N L Hopkins who was instrumental in the development of the RAAC and is affectionally known as the ‘father of the Corps’.Part of collection of photographs of a rare event on the Australian military calendar, the opening of Hopkins Barracks Puckapunyal by HRH Prince Charles, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) on 31 October 1985.Colour photograph showing Prince Charles and Princess Diana alighting from the Royal Car at the saluting dais.

Jaffles were a very popular meal using tinned stew and issued sliced bread. Freshness of bread was not important.Good study of officer of 8/13 VMR cooking in the field.Black and white photograph of Lieutenant Bill Russell in beret and tank suit kneeling beside fuel stove holding a jaffle iron. Probably taken at Puckapunyal during 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Annual Camp, 1986. Plastic mug in foreground.Lt. Russellmilitary, training, stove, jaffle, cmf, vmr

The Fire Support Vehicle mounted a 76mm gun and added greatly to the fire power of a cavalry troop.Colour photograph of 3 crewmen on M113A1 Fire Support Vehicle ( FSV ) during 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Annual camp at Puckapunyal 1986. Crew are from left: Corporal Ramsdale, Corporal RAC McDonald and Sergeant King.fire support, vmr, military, training, puckapunyal

Battle runs were a live firing exercise designed to test capability of all members of Fighting Vehicle crew.The 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as a regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps on 1 May 1948 with Headquarters in Melbourne and squadrons in Sale, Benalla/Wangaratta and Albury. In 1955 Regimental Headquarters moved to Wangaratta and a second squadron was located at Albury. The Sale squadron transferred to 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse. In 1977 8/13 VMR Regiment was reduced to an independent squadron A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and in 1991 was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse forming the VMR Squadron of that regiment.Colour photograph of M 113 A1 Fire Support Vehicle about to begin battle run during ' A ' squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Annual Camp 1986 at Puckapunyal.fsv, vmr, armour, puckapunyal, training, military

From 1909-1929, all boys 12-14 yrs and men 18-20 were required to enrol for army training only for domestic service. In 1939 all unmarried men aged 21 yrs were required to register for 3 months training for service in Australia and its territories. This was expanded in 1942 when all men 18-35 yrs and single men 35-45 yrs were required to register for the CMF (Citizens Military Force) Many of these then volunteered for the regular army during WW2. However the biggest National Service intake occurred between 1951 and 1972 as a reaction to the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Initially this required all 18 yr olds to complete 176 days of military service. Then in 1964 the lottery system was invoked.Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2002. Walking proud: these men were part of the July 9, 1957 national service intake chosen by ballot. The men are pictured at Puckapunyal army camp. Photo supplied by Ernie Hartland.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were