Squadron Leader Alan Reed from the Royal Australian Air Force 052363 served in Vietnam from 26 May 1968 until 20 November 1968. He spent most of his tour detached to the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, US Air Force. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in June 1989 for his service to the RAAF as Air Officer Commanding, Support Command. For his service with the USAF, Alan Reed was awarded the United States Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster. His final rank with the Air Force was Air Vice Marshal and his last posting was with Headquarters, Australian Force Vietnam (RAAF Element) Flying Helmet made of fibreglass and resin, polystyrene, perspex with sunvisor, microphone,and headphones.FSN 1660-440 5553 Part No.60c 4459flying helmet, alan reed, squadron leader alan reed, royal australian air force, 052363, 12th tactical reconnaissance squadron, officer of the order of australia, raaf, united states air force, united states distinguished flying cross, usaf, headquarters, australian force vietnam, raaf element

Narre Warren North had a population of 200 in 1933. Just a month after World War 2 began in September 1939, a meeting was held in the Narre Warren Scout Hall to discuss the formation of a branch of the Red Cross Society. Mrs Harry Randle was elected president, Mrs Montague, vice president; Mrs Brundrett, secretary and Mrs Ewart, treasurer. All financial members were deemed to constitute the committee. By 1953, just 14 years after their formation they had raised over two thousand pounds, of which one thousand, eight hundred and eighty-two pounds had been sent to headquarters.The minutes bring together the ladies of all walks of life in a small rural community. The early minutes reflect the difficulties of the war years when many of the women may have had husbands, sons and daughters in the services. Despite rationing and shortages of materials these ladies always seemed to have most of what they needed to make goods to sell at stalls, provide suppers at concerts and social afternoons and hold an annual fair. In their spare time they knitted socks and helmets and sewed pyjamas that were sent to those serving overseas. The minutes highlight the work of our local women and give us an insight into the often unrecorded contributions women made within their communities in a time when local histories were dominated by male achievements.Six exercise books bound with hard cover binding. Navy blue debossed cover.narre warren north (vic.), narre warren north (vic.) -- red cross, red cross society