Cobram depot was a base for regimental exercises in sothern NSW.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.Two colour photographs of soldiers surrounded by equipment and vehicles at 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles depot at Cobram Victoria.Soldier in photo 1 is Sergeant S. Laughton and soldier in photo 2 is Trooper M. Roberts.military, soldier, training, bullets, vmr

The vessels boiling electrical was used by soldiers of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles when it was equipped with Centurion tanks 1966-71. A boiling vessel fitted to British armoured fighting vehicles that permit the crew to heat water and cook food by drawing power from the vehicle electrical supply. It is often referred to by crewmembers (not entirely in jest) as the most important piece of equipment in a British armoured vehicle. The "Vessel Boiling Electric" or "BV" was an innovation at the very end of World War II, when the Centurion tank was introduced with the device fitted inside the turret. Previously, British tank crews had disembarked when they wanted to "brew-up" (make tea), using a petrol cooker improvised from empty fuel cans[4] called a "Tommy cooker". Use of the BV enabled the crew to stay safely inside the tank and reduced the time taken for breaks. The first version, known as VBE No 1, began to be replaced in the early 1950s by the stainless steel No 2 version. A VBE No 3 had improved electrical sockets and was less prone to leakage. The principal use of the BV is to heat ration pouches or tins; the hot water is then used for making drinks or washing. The BV is cuboid and accommodates four tins; typically matching the crew numbers of an armoured fighting vehicle. Ration tins are supplied without adhesive labels so the surrounding water is not contaminated. A vehicle with a defective BV is declared unfit for purpose. It is common practice for a junior member of a vehicle crew to be unofficially appointed "BV Commander", responsible for making hot drinks for the other soldiers. Example of article which improved efficiency and well-being of tank soldiers.Cilinderical metal vessel with close fitting lid, folding handle and electrical socket on side.military, tank, centurion, meals, boiling

J2. Used in Vietnam in Armoured Vehicles, Made by Racal England 1960equipment, vietnam, army

Used in Armoured Vehicles. Origin unknownequipment, vietnam, army

This version of a crewman's overall replaced two earlier versions of the garment, one black in colour and the second green. This version dispensed with the internal over-the-shoulder braces. Replaced in 1990s by garment in disruptive pattern material.Representative of uniform worn by tank crewmen in period 1972-89.Green tank suit worn by crewmen of armoured fighting vehicles in 1970s; five patch pockets, one with slots for pencils. Full length front zip fastener.tank suit, uniform, military, tank

13th (Gippsland) Light Horse Regiment was a unit of the Citizen Military Forces or Militia with its Headquarters in Sale Victoria and depots throughout Gippsland. The regiment in 1939 was still horse mounted but converted to armoured vehicles soon after becoming the 13th Armoured Regiment.Fine example of a document setting out the program of parades and training obligations for a citizen soldier in the immediate pre-Second World War period.White three fold card being Programme of Parades for Half-Year ending 31st dec 1939 for 13th (Gippsland0 Light Horse Regiment, 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division. Commanding Officer Lieut Col WG Hopkins13th light horse, gippsland, hopkins wg lieutenant colonel, parade card

Geoffrey R Fink volunteered for military service in early 1940. He served initially with 3rd Division A.A.S.C. but was discharged as being in a reserved occupation at the Aircraft Production Commission. He resigned from the Commission and joined the AIF on 28 July 1941 and was allotted to 2/8th Armoured Regiment. He served with the regiment in New Guinea and on return to Australia was transferred to No 41 Landing Craft Company serving out the war in the South Pacific. Geoffrey Fink died 14 March 2008 aged 86 at Wangaratta Victoria.Complements other objects in the collection relating to this WWII soldier. Military Motor vehicle Drivers licence No. 34060 29 - 1 - 41325862 Corporal Fink - Geoffrey Roland 3 Division AASCfink geoffrey r mr, 2/8th armoured regiment, 41 landing craft company

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.Colour photograph of the armoured vehicles of VMR Squadron 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse at Puckapunyal during camp September 1992.military, vmr, puckapunyal, m113, training

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

The .30 caliber Browning Machine gun was the basic machine gun of US forces and became more common in British and Australian armoured when US tanks were adopted.Representative of US training manuals in WW11.Natural coloured covered booklet " War Department Basic FIELD Manual Browning Machine Gun Caliber .30 HB M1919A4 ( mounted in Combat Vehicles ) August 12, 1942."military, world war two, wwii, us, machine gun

8th/13th VMR was equipped with M113 family of vehicles in 1970s - 1990s. Cp.G.Wynd was a cadre staff member training armoured fighting vehicle ( AFV ) crewmen M113A1 Instruction handbookSoft covered booklet with fabric binding strip " Royal Australian Armoured Corps Volume 3 - Armanent Pamphlet No.4 Fire Support Vehicle M113A1 ( FS ) 1971."" Cpl Wynd " on front covermilitary, tank, fsv, gun, vmr

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

8/13 VMR conducted numerous weekend training exercises in Chiltern Forest, Victoria.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.Coloured photograph of vehicle of 8/13 VMR Technical Support Troop ( RAEME) camouflaged on exercise in Chiltern Forest. Standing on running board is Craftsman Ben Niuwerth.vmr, military, training, chiltern

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

While many recruits could already drive when they joined 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles it took many hours of instruction and training before they were licenced to drive heavier, more complex army vehicles both on and off road and under combat conditions.Members of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) were posted to Army Reserve units in the 1980s and 1990s. They were rarely posted to Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) but were invaluable in the A1 Echelon driving fuel, ammunition, ration and water supply vehicles. Shows citizen soldiers on weekend training.Colour photograph of 4 soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles at a road side break during a driving exercise, 1986. From left : Corporal M. Roberts, Private T. Roche, Corporal Tewson and Trooper Bowerman.military, citizen soldiers, vmr, uniform

Salamaua Barracks, home of the Citizen Military Forces/Army Reserve in Cobram district was first an Infantry Depot and later an Armoured Corps Depot with a sub-unit of the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.Colour photograph of four soldiers of " A " Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles standing in front of M 113 Light Reconnassance Vehicle ( LRV ) at Salamauc Depot Cobram. from left: Lieutenant John Burke, Craftsman Cope, Corporal Ramsdale and Trooper Golding.

This periscope was used during WW2 extensively made for armoured vehicles.Minneapolis-Honeywell was approached by the US military for engineering and manufacturing projects. In 1941, Minneapolis-Honeywell developed this superior tank periscope and camera stabilizers, as well as the C-1 autopilot.Rectangular periscope with screw & clip device to hold in position, painted olive drab.On one label: PERISCOPE M6/ MINNEAPOLIS HONEYWELL REGULATOR COMPANY/ No 4XO/ 1943. On paper label: Periscope Adjustments Knob Settings (indecipherable). On one side handmade scribbling unable to analyse: PVNCAN/HARE/838 4551periscope, armoured vehicles, tanks, ww2, us army, chaffee, stuart, shermann, minneapolis