Assault troopers performed specialist dismounted to Armoured units. On 1 April 1991, ‘A’ Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles linked with 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment to form a new regiment of two squadrons: VMR Squadron and PWLH Squadron. The 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse title was retained, but the VMR Squadron continued to wear the VMR hat badge.Black and white photograph of 16 soldiers of VMR Squadron 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse Assault Troop at camp, Puckapunyal, September 1992.military, vmr, pwlh, puckapunyal, reserve, army, assault

All three men had a long association with 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. John Neale served in RAN during WWII; post war he joined 8/13 VMR as a trooper in 1948. He rose through the ranks to command the regiment in 1972-76, and later became Honorary Colonel. Ron Almond served in WWII; following the war he joined the Regular Army and served several postings to the Cadre Staff of 8/13 VMR including a post as Regimentla Sergeant Major. He also served with the Australian Army Training Team in South Vietnam. Bill Woolford served in the Royal Marines in WWII; post war he migrated to Australia joining the Victoria Police and was posted to Wodonga. He joined 8/13 VMR and served as Squadron Sergeant Major 'A' Squadron.Colour photograph of Colonel John Neale and former 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles soldiers Ron Almond and Bill Woolford at Buna Barracks 29 April 1990neale, almond, woolford, vmr, albury, aattv, buna barracks

This slouch hat was worn at the 75th Anniversary of Beersheba parade at the Australian War Memorial, 31 October 1992. VMR Squadron 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse provided the Honour Guard under the command of Captain Kelvin Robertson. It was the first occasion on which slouch hats and plumes were worn by the regiment. In 1992, all Corps in the Australian Army were ordered to wear slouch hats. This was a reaction to the high incidence of skin cancer in soldiers. Berets were thought to offer inadequate sun protection. Slouch hats were not practical in AFVs. Not all crewmen had access to helmets, so berets continued to be worn in vehicles. Slouch hats were worn for parade ground and general barracks work. RAAC acknowledged its Light Horse ancestry by wearing the emu plumes. Life continued in this way till 2010 when the wearing of berets was banned. Special Forces were exempt because it was argued they had a special relationship with the beret. Armoured Corps was outraged. Their relationship with the ‘black hat’ went back nearly a century. Submissions and argument ensued until the current workable arrangement was reached where a CO can authorize the wearing of berets but recognising that the slouch hat is the formal Australian Army head dress. Slouch hat with emu plumes and silver Victorian Mounted Rifles badge over and red backing on turned up side.military, hat, plumes, vmr, robertson

Vehicles of these types were issued to CMF units following WW11 for transport purposes.Part of a collection of workshop manuals and user handbooks relating to equipment on issue to 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles during the latter half of the twentieth century.Buff coloured soft covered manual 108 pages square bound being Driver's Handbook for a variety of Chevrolet wheeled vehicles ranging from 15cwt 4x2 to Fd Arty Tractor. Published by Australian Army 1945.Ink stamp on title page " 8/13 VMR Regimental Collection."

Part of a collection of workshop manuals and user handbooks relating to equipment on issue to 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles during the latter half of the twentieth century. Unbound Technical manual 62 pages, without covers, single metal staple in top left corner being User Handbook Truck Wrecker 5 ton GS Medium Recovery F5 with Twin Boom Hoist. Published by Australian Army 16 June 71" 118 " on bottom right corner title page.

All field units such as 8/13 VMR had need of methods to store equipment. This document provided a template for storage in tropical conditions.Moderate research valueGreen coloured heavy card covered technical manual, screw bound, adhesive fabric spine being Instructions for the Australian Army Ordnance Services Storage in the Tropics 1966.Ink stamp on title page " 8/13VMR Regimental Collection. "

British 1907 pattern bayonet and .303 Lee Enfield rifle was standard issue to the armies of many Commonwealth countries including Australia, in World War One (1914-1918), World War Two (1939-1945), and Korean War (1950-1953). In Australia it was replaced by the 7.62mm Self-loading rifle (SLR) in 1960.British 1907 pattern bayonet with leather scabbard with metal fittings. XOA and L 43 under 1907 with Slazenger on handleworld war one, weapon, bayonet, british, lee enfield

The 7.62mm self loading rifle (SLR) was introduced to the Australian Army in 1962 replacing the .303 Lee Enfield Magazine rifle. For Australia, the SLR was the main infantry weapon of the Vietnam War era (1962-1972).L1A2 bayonet for use with 7.62mm self-loading rifle (SLR), together with plastic scabbard.bayonet, weapon, slr

When the US entered WW11, the Army moved quickly to provide training materials. In many cases it drew on British experience.Representative of training documents from early years of WW11Black and White covered booklet " Removal of wounded from Tanks" '.Military Intelligence Service Information Bulletin No. 17- War Department - Washington. DC. dated 5th June 1942. 28 pages, soft cover, saddle stitched and stapled.Ink stamp on first page " RAEME Trg Centre, Training Publications, Register No 20145 "usa, tank, training

8th/13th VMR was equipped with Centurion tanks 1955 - 1959 and 1966 - 1970. Provides information for gunnery crew commanders & gunnery instructors to train crews in tank gunnery.Representative of training pamphlets used when Australian Army received Centurion tanks Centurion gunnery intro - handling, servicing & mechanismGrey covered booklet" Royal Armoured Corps Training Volume III - Armament Pamphlet No. 15 Centurion 1964. " 286 pages, staple bound.On front cover " 66-022-7190" and ink stamp " A Sqn 2 Cav Regt" Holsworthy 2173 and another very faint stampmilitary, tank, centurion, gun, vmr

Us manufactured Browning machine guns were introduced to Australian Army in 1950s.The. 30 calibre replaced 7.92 mm Besa in Centurion tanks equipping 8/13 VMR in 1957. The. 50 calibre was mounted on some M113 carriers as Commanders MG. Representative of Training booklets issued to CMF units in the 1960sLightbrown covered booklet Browning Machine Gun Caliber .50HB, M2. Department of the Army Field Manual FM 23 - 65. December 1955

Lieutenant General Ernest K Squire was Chief of Staff of Australian Army who died 2 March 1940 in Melbourne and was buried on 5th March. 8th Light Horse was in full-time training at Torquay..Rare photo of soldiers from North East Victoria on Guard of Honour duty.Sepia photograph of soldiers of Corryong Troop 8th Light Horse at funeral of Lieutenant General Ernest Squires" 8th Light Horse ( Corryong Troop ) as " Guard of Honour " at funeral of Lieutenant General Squires Melbourne 1940 "

Probably taken at Wangaratta depot during at a conference or course of instruction.Shows variety of dress in Army Reserve Units in Victoria in mid 1970s.Black and White photograph of soldiers posed in three rows, standing and seated. They are wearing badges and headgear representing a variety of Regiments and Corps.

In 1970s Army Reserve Units carried out their own recruiting and NCO training. RSM Kennard was a member of the 8/13 VMR Cadre staff.Fine study of Army Reserve soldiers at Albury 1970s.Black and White photograph of soldiers in two ranks with instructor in front" NCO Course, Albury, RSM WO1 Kennard " List of some members of squad follows.

Army Reserve Units such as 8/13 VMR carried out their own NCO training in 1970s.Shows Army Reserve soldiers at Albury 1970.Black and white photographs of soldiers relaxing on edge of parade ground between sessions of drill." NCO Course Albury Depot ". List of names follow.

Army Reserve regiments were responsible for their own recruiting in 1970sShows recruiting activity involving the community of which regiment was part.Black and White photograph of 8/13 VMR soldier in turret of M 113 Armoured Personnel Carrier with boy in civilian dress wearing headphones." Trooper McKechnie Recruiting Drive."military, vmr, recruiting, pr

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 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles officers and guests in anteroom following Dining In dinner 22 April 1989.From left : Major Gordon Cole, Colonel JohnNeale, Major Ian Docking, Lieutenant Marshall, and Major Robert Morrison speaking with Pipe Major of Army Apprentices School Pipe Band.

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of three soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR using a whip antenna to establish communication with their base while on patrol during exercise ' Northern Explorer.'

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Lance Corporal R. Van De Velde, ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR during Exercise ' Northern Explorer' September 1988. LCpl Van De Velde has a collection of Pandamus Palm nut prematurely ripened by fire near King River Northern Territory.

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of jaggered basalt rock covering most of high country SSW of Tindal RAAF Base, Northern Territory. Photo was taken to illustrate reports of patrols during Exercise " Northern Explorer" September 1988.

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Two colour photographs of sink holes/rock depressions cbserved while on patrol during Exercise " Northern Explorer. These features offered the only shade when temperature was 41oC.

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of Captain C. Carrington, earing hat, and Sergeant Koschel of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR during Exercise " Northern Explorer." Flood debris caught high in tree branches indicate water level during wet season on Ferguson River, Northern Territory.

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of Captain C. Carrington sheltering from 41o sun during Exercise " Northern Explorer."

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of Lance Corporal R. Van. De Velde picking native figs on bank of Ferguson River, Northern Territory during Exercise "Northern Explorer." Soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR had received instruction of bush food by Major Les Hiddens aka ' The Bush Tucker Man. '100 mm x 100 mm

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of four members of a vehicle patrol of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR at Ferguson River, Northern Territory, during Exercise 'Northern Explorer."

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of vehicle patrol of ' A " Squadron 8/13 VMR accessing the viability of a crossing point of Ferguson River during Exercise ' Northern Explorer. The patrol decided the Armoured Personnel carrier could descend the shale bank but not climb out again.

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of two soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR during Exercise ' Northern Explorer '. Trooper Pratt and Lance Corporal Van De Valde demonstrate how the F2 radio set could be carried. In addition the men would have webbing, pack and rifle to carry.