Item in collection of Dave Waterston, refer Cat No 2410 for service details.Red hard cover manual, 131 pages with some fold out sheets, titled: Map Reading, Air Photo Reading and Field Sketching, Part 1 Map Reading1955“W O Code 8868”books - reference, military history - air force, map reading

Andrew John BALSILLIE MBE, JP. Jack as he was known enlisted in the Australian Army near the end of WWII No 31224 age 16 years. He then served in Malaya 1959 - 1961then Vietnam with the rank of Captain with 1st Aust Task Force HQ Light Aid Detachment (LAD) 7.5.1969 - 7.11.1969, HQ Aust Force Vietnam Army component 8.11.1969 - 7.5.1970. He retired with the rank of Major in 1985 after 40 years plus. He was awarded an MBE in 1969 for his services to the Australian War Memorial. Elected to Committee Bendigo RSL 1988 - 1993 with Snr Vice President 1989 - 1993, re-elected 1999 - 2000. Re-elected again in 2002 as Snr Vice President. He was elected to Bendigo City Council 1990 - 1993 serving as Mayor in 1993. .1) Bush hat, floppy, khaki canvas, belonged to Major J BALSILLIE. .2) - .4) Gauze wound dressing in brown cotton pack, 2 rolls per pack. .5) Neck cloth, green cotton..1) Inside hat: Maj J Balsillie. .2) - .4) Labelled: First Field Dressings.headwear, medical dressings

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 Lt Phil Hills, Liverpool, NSW Officer Cammanding the 1st Australian Field Hygiene Unit along with Vu Dien Thien, the Phuoc Tuy Province Health Inspector inspects a badly infected open drain through the centre of Long Dien village during an outbreak of Dengue Feverphotograph, lt phil hills, 1st australian field hygiene unit, phuoc tuy province, vu thien (health inspector), gibbons collection catalogue, long dien village, dengue fever, officer commanding, vu dien thien, denis gibbons

“Where the Australians Lie” This item came to a family / widow etc with The Commemorative plaque & Commemorative scroll as package. Leo Harris No 3132. Refer 2478 for service history also 2476, 2477P, 2479.3..1) Small folder folds in 2, light brown colour. Front has Rising Sun at top under 'Australian Imperial Force'. Inside cover has details of the deceased person. Next to that is a cut out space for a photo of the grave of the deceased. Rear has name & address of person who received the folder. .2) Sepia colour photo of grave of the above .1).“In memory of HARRIS LEO No 3132 - Gunner - 25th Field Artillery Brigade - ANZAC Cemetery Sailly SUR LA LYS Plot 2 Row 3 - Armentieres, France”documents, military, remembrance.

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 coloured photograph of 8 Field Ambulance, Red Cross girls Janice Webb, Winsome Ayliffe and Jean Debelle, unpack, check and store supplies sent from Australia to be distributed to the wounded and sick Diggers in the hospital.8th field ambulance, janice webb (red cross), winsome ayliffe (red cross), jean debelle (red cross), red cross, gibbons collection catalogue, photograph, diggers, denis gibbons

The last Australian soldier to be listed as missing in action was Lance Corporal John Francis Gillespie of 8 Field Ambulance. On 17 April 1971 Gillespie was serving as a helicopter medic during a 'dustoff' (helicopter medical evacuation) operation in the Long Hai hills in Phuoc Tuy province. Four South Vietnamese Regional Force soldiers had been injured by a mine explosion and the difficult terrain demanded a helicopter evacuation. But the Long Hai hills were an insecure landing zone. The caves and dense timber of the Long Hais had long harboured a major Viet Cong base area and the dustoff operation required the protection of helicopter gunships. As the first wounded soldier was being winched up, the hovering helicopter was hit by enemy machine-gun fire. It crashed to the ground and burst into flames. Although the crew escaped, Lance Corporal Gillespie and three other soldiers were engulfed in the fireball. A helicopter crewman, Corporal Robert Stephens, repeatedly entered the burning aircraft and tried in vain to rescue Gillespie, until being forced back by the flames. Stephens was later awarded the British Empire Medal for his courage. Gillespie's body could not be recovered from the burning wreckage which was reduced to slag by the fire. Private Gillespie was listed as missing in action, apparently on a technicality because his remains could not be found. The classification was subsequently altered to killed in action.Stainless steel open ended bracelet with missing serviceman's full name and date missing. In a buff square satin lined box.MIA John Francis Gillespie 17/04/71mia, john francis gillespie, l/cpl john francis gillespie, 3170244, royal australian army medical corps, 8th field ambulance, cpl robert stephens, killed in action

Leslie Pryde "MM", Regt No 11986. refer Cat No 914 for his service history and award details.Official document from the Australian Imperial Force dated, Melbourne 18.7.1918 relating to the award of "The Military Medal" for bravery in the field by Corporal L Pryde. The notice was sent to his mother Mrs J Pryde stating that "His Majesty the King" had approved the award. The document is a one sided paper. awards, military history, mm

A field ration, combat ration or ration pack is a canned or pre-packaged meal, easily prepared and eaten, transported by military troops on the battlefield. They are distinguished from regular military rations by virtue of being designed for minimal preparation in the field, using canned, pre-cooked or freeze-dried foods, powdered beverage mixes and concentrated food bars, as well as for long shelf life.Australian Defence Force Combat Ration pack for one man. Contains 30 items: tomato soup, processed cheddar cheese, blackberry fruits spread, sweetened condensed milk, cream cracker buscuits, scotch finger biscuits, instant coffee x2, chocolate drinking powder, sugar x8, mixed berry beverage powder, Cottee's cordial powder, tropical fruit grains, salt, pepper, sweet chilli sauce, tabasco sauce, arrowmint chewing gum, tangerine lemon lollies, toothpicks, scourer, napkins, bottle opener.Australian Defence Force Combat Ration (One Man) contents list.ration pack, australian army ration pack

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 Lt Col Mike Naughton OBE Commanding Officer of 1st Field Hospital, Vung Tau is lifted onto the shoulders of his team mates after the hospital rugby union team defeated an Engineers team from 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat,photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, lt col naughton, order of the british empire (obe), 1st atf base, gibbons collection catalogue, commanding officer, engineers, 1st australian task force, nui dat, 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 Gunners of 161 Battery Royal New Zealand Artillery, attached to 1st Australian Field Regiment, run to their gun in parade ground order, to carry out a "copy book" gun drill and firing for visiting New Zealand Politicians (circa Feb 1967)photograph, 161 battery rnza, 1st atf base, new zealand, gibbons collection catalogue, nui dat, gunner, 161 battery royal new zealand artillery, 1st australian field regiment, new zealand politicans, 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 Gunners of 101 Battery 1st Field Regt, RAA at Fire Support Base Baton, engage an area east of Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, Sth Vietnam, softening up the landing zone prior to 1 ATF units heliborn assault against NVA/VietCong D445 Battalion (circa July 1969)photograph, 1st australian field regiment, raa, 1st atf base, 101 battery, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, d445 battalion (nva/vietcong), gibbons collection catalogue, fire support base baton, gunners, 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 Gunners, 101 Battery, 1st Field Regimentt, RAA at Fire Support Base Baton using a sledge hammer, pound a steel stake into the ground while another member of the gun crew waits to do the same. The gunners were erecting a cover over their shells. (circa July 1969)photograph, 101 battery, 1st australian field regiment, raa, 1st atf base, nui dat, d445 battalion (nva/vietcong), fire support base baton, gibbons collection catalogue, gunners, 1st australian task force, 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 Gunners of 101 Battery 1st Field Regiment, RAA at Fire Support Base Baton engage an area east of Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, Sth Vietnam, softening the landing zone prior to 1 ATF Infantry Units heliborn assault against NVA/VietCong's D445 Battalion (circa July 1969)photograph, 1st australian field regiment, raa, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, 101 battery, d445 battalion (nva/vietcong), fire support base baton, gibbons collection catalogue, gunners, 1st australian task force, infantry units, heliborn assault, 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 Gunners of 101 Battery, 1st Field Regt, RAA at Fire Support Base Baton engage an area east of Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, Sth Vietnam, softening up the landing zone prior to 1 ATF Infactry units heliborn assault against NVA/VietCong's D445 Battalion (circa July 1969)photograph, 1st australian field regiment, raa, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, 101 battery, d445 battalion (nva/vietcong), fire support base baton, gibbons collection catalogue, gunners, 1st australian task force, 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 Gunners of 101 Battery 1st Australian Field Regt RAA at Fire Support Base Baton engage an area east of Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, Sth Vietnam softening up the landing zone prior to 1 ATF Infantry units heliborn assault against NVA/VietCong's D445 Battalion (circa July 1969)photograph, 101 battery, 1st australian field regiment, raa, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, fire support base baton, nva/vc, d445 battalion (nva/vietcong), gibbons collection catalogue, gunners, infantry, nva/vietcong, denis gibbons

On the night of 30-31 January 1942 this small force of 1131 Australian soldiers were stationed at Ambon, an island which formed part of the Netherland East Indies (now Indonesia). An invasion of approximately 20,000 Japanese overwhelmed Gull Force and the majority of the Australian soldiers were taken prisoner. The execution of 229 at Laha, starvation, over work, disease and the absence of medical supplies led to horrific loss. At the cessation of hostilities only 352 of the original 1131 had made it back to Australia. 779 members of Gull Force made the supreme sacrifice and now lie in foreign fields. The Battle of Ambon (30 January – 3 February 1942) occurred on the island of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), during World War II. Japan invaded and conquered the island in a few days, facing Dutch, American and Australian forces. The chaotic and sometimes bloody fighting was followed by a series of major Japanese war crimes. Allied casualties in the battle were relatively light. However, at intervals for a fortnight after the surrender, Japanese personnel chose more than 300 Australian and Dutch prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near Laha airfield. In part, this was revenge for the sinking of the Japanese minesweeper, as some surviving crew of the minesweeper took part.. Three-quarters of the Australians captured on Ambon died before the war's end. Of the 582 who remained on Ambon, 405 died. They died of overwork, malnutrition, disease and one of the most brutal regimes among camps in which bashings were routine. Blood Oath, a 1990 Australian feature film is based on the real-life trial of Japanese soldiers for war crimes committed against Allied prisoners of war on the island of Ambon, in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), such as the Laha massacre of 1942.Brown timber frame with gold coloured inner edge containing badge and tribute on grey backgroundGull Force 2/21 Battalion Ambon Laha In memory of and tribute to the Officers and Men of "Gull Force" comprising of 2/21 Battalion and attached Units.gull force, 2/21 battalion, ambon, ww2

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 and a coloured photograph of Australia's top soldier General Sir Thomas Daley, pays a visit to the gunners of 161 Battery Royal New Zealand Artillery, at an Australian fire support base. The New Zealand Battery was attached to the Australian Field Regiment. (Circa April 1969)photograph, general sir thomas daley, 161 battery rnza, australian field regiment, gibbons collection catalogue, fire support base, gunners, 161 battery rpyal new zealand artillery, 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 Gunners of 161 Battery Royal New Zealand Artillery, attached to 1st Australian Field Regiment, fire their gun, in parade ground order to carry out a "copy book" gun drill and firing for visiting New Zealand Ppoliticians (Circa Feb 1967)photograph, 161 battery rnza, 1st australian field regiment, new zealand, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, gunners, 161 battery royal new zealand artillery, visiting politicans, denis gibbons

Saint-Omer is a commune and sub-prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais department 68 km west-northwest of Lille on the railway to Calais. The town is named after Saint Audomar, who brought Christianity to the area. (Wikipedia) During World War I on 8 October 1914, the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) arrived in Saint-Omer and a headquarters was established at the aerodrome next to the local race course. For the following four years, Saint-Omer was a focal point for all RFC operations in the field. Although most squadrons only used Saint-Omer as a transit camp before moving on to other locations, the base grew in importance as it increased its logistic support to the RFC. Many Royal Air Force squadrons can trace their roots to formation at Saint-Omer during this period. Among which are No. IX Squadron RAF which was formed at Saint-Omer, 14 December 1914 and No. 16 Squadron RAF which was formed on 10 February 1915. (Wikipedia)Black and white postcard showing a group of children and some adults surrounding a horse drawn cart. The cobble stone street is lined with double story buildings. chatham-holmes family collection, saint-omer, world war, world war 1, postcard