Used by Lance Corporal W. B. Ashweirth - Signalman in the Australian Army who was held at Changi and later transferred to Osaka in Japan as a slave labourer.Combination military water bottle and panakin with [base metal] fold-away metal handleAustralian Coat of Arms and RIP 'Sig" mascot of 6th Line Section - Signals Regiment - Died at Changi Barracks on 27th February 1942. Also a 'love heart' showing WBA / EHAchangi, changi pow camp, pow, water bottle, world war two, second world war, wwii, ww2, changi barracks

This is a set of 55 photographs of a 4th Field Survey Squadron adventurous training held at Wilpena pound, in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia in 1989. It is evident the training focussed on teamwork, leadership, abseiling, rock climbing, field craft and living off the land survival skills. Elements from units of the Army Reserve also participated in the training. In this photo set, one of 4th Field Survey’s sections participated in abseiling and trekked to the highest mountain in the Flinders Ranges – St. Mary’s Peak. Refer to item 6552.43P for black & white photographs taken during the adventurous training exercise.This is a set of 55 photographs of 4th Field Survey Squadron personnel undergoing adventurous training held at Wilpena pound, in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia in 1989. The colour photographs are on 35mm negative film and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 96 dpi. .1) & 2)- Photo, colour, 1989. Base camp. WO1 Bill Griggs 2nd from left, remainder unidentified. .3) - Photo, colour, 1989. Old homestead inside Wilpena Pound. SPR Cheryl Deluca-Cardillo, 2nd from left, remainder unidentified. .4) - Photo, colour, 1989. Wilpena Pound topography. .5) - Photo, colour, 1989. Abseiling activities, unidentified personnel. .6) & .7) - Photo, colour, 1989. Flinders Ranges topography. .8) - Photo, colour, 1989. Abseiling activities. L to R: SSGT Max Coletti, SGT Stu Symonds. .9) - Photo, colour, 1989. Abseiling activities, unidentified personnel. .10) - Photo, colour, 1989. Flinders Ranges topography. .11) - Photo, colour, 1989. Abseiling activities. L to R: unidentified, CPL Michelle Griffith, SGT Stu Symonds. .12) - Photo, colour, 1989. Abseiling activities. L to R: unidentified, SPR Andrew Quin, SGT Laurie Justin, SGT Stu Symonds. .13) - Photo, colour, 1989. Abseiling activities. L to R: SGT Stu Symonds SGT Laurie Justin. .14) - Photo, colour, 1989. Abseiling activities. L to R: unidentified, SGT Stu Symonds. .15) - Photo, colour, 1989. Abseiling activities. SGT Laurie Justin. .16) - Photo, colour, 1989. Abseiling activities. SGT Stu Symonds. .17) & .18) - Photo, colour, 1989. Abseiling activities. SPR Cheryl Deluca-Cardillo. .19) - Photo, colour, 1989. Abseiling activities. L to R: SPR Cheryl Deluca-Cardillo, unidentified. .20) - Photo, colour, 1989. Abseiling activities. SSGT Max Coletti. .21) - Photo, colour, 1989. Abseiling activities. SPR Andrew Quin. .22) - Photo, colour, 1989. Abseiling activities. CPL Michelle Griffith. .23) - Photo, colour, 1989. Abseiling activities. CPL Michelle Griffith. .24) - Photo, colour, 1989. Flinders Ranges topography, unidentified personnel. .25) - Photo, colour, 1989. Flinders Ranges topography, unidentified SGT. .26) to .30) - Photo, colour, 1989. Flinders Ranges topography. .31) - Photo, colour, 1989. Flinders Ranges topography, unidentified personnel. .32) & .33) - Photo, colour, 1989. Flinders Ranges topography. L to R: unidentified, CPL Michelle Griffith, SGT Stu Symonds, CPL Roger Graf, SSGT Max Coletti, SGT Laurie Justin. .34) - Photo, colour, 1989. St. Mary’s Peak. L to R: unidentified, CPL Michelle Griffith, CPL Steve Nokes, SGT Stu Symonds. .35) - Photo, colour, 1989. St. Mary’s Peak. SGT Stu Symonds. .36) & .37) - Photo, colour, 1989. St. Mary’s Peak. CPL Steve Nokes. .38) - Photo, colour, 1989. Flinders Ranges topography. .39) - Photo, colour, 1989. St. Mary’s Peak. SGT Laurie Justin. .40) - Photo, colour, 1989. St. Mary’s Peak. SPR Cheryl Deluca-Cardillo. .41) - Photo, colour, 1989. St. Mary’s Peak. SPR Andrew Quin. .42) - Photo, colour, 1989. Flinders Ranges topography, SGT Stu Symonds. .43) - Photo, colour, 1989. Social activities. L to R: unidentified (x6), CPL Perry Langeberg, SGT Laurie Justin. .44) - Photo, colour, 1989. Social activities. L to R: CPL Perry Langeberg, SGT John Zuringer, SGT Laurie Justin, SGT Mick Hogan, unidentified, SGT Stu Symonds. .45) - Photo, colour, 1989. Social activities. L to R: unidentified (x6), CPL Perry Langeberg, SGT John Zuringer. .46) - Photo, colour, 1989. Social activities. L to R: CPL Jamie McRae, SGT Laurie Justin, SGT Mick Hogan, unidentified, SGT Stu Symonds, SPR Cheryl Deluca-Cardillo, WO1 Bill Griggs. .47) - Photo, colour, 1989. Social activities. L to R: SGT Laurie Justin, unidentified, CPL Steve Nokes, SGT Stu Symonds, SPR Cheryl Deluca-Cardillo, WO1 Bill Griggs, unidentified (x2). .48) - Photo, colour, 1989. Social activities. L to R: CPL Steve Nokes, WO1 Bill Griggs, SPR Cheryl Deluca-Cardillo, unidentified (x2), CPL Steve Ellis, CPL Michelle Griffith, SGT Gill Park. .49) - Photo, colour, 1989. Social activities. L to R: CPL Perry Langeberg, SGT John Zuringer, CPL Jamie McRae, SGT Laurie Justin, SGT Mick Hogan, unidentified, SGT Stu Symonds. .50) - Photo, colour, 1989. Sheep cooking in fire pit. L to R: WO2 Peter Symmans, unidentified (x5), CPL Steve Ellis. .51) - Photo, colour, 1989. Sheep cooking in fire pit. L to R: WO2 Peter Symmans, unidentified. .52) - Photo, colour, 1989. Sheep cooking in fire pit. Unidentified personnel. .53) - Photo, colour, 1989. Cooked sheep removed from fire pit. L to R: unidentified. WO2 Peter Symmans, unidentified. .54) - Photo, colour, 1989. Cooked sheep removed from fire pit. L to R: CPL Michelle Griffith, SGT Gill Park, unidentified, SSGT Max Coletti, unidentified, SPR Cheryl Deluca-Cardillo. .55) - Photo, colour, 1989. Cooked sheep removed from fire pit. L to R: unidentified, CPL Michelle Griffith, WO2 Peter Symmans..1P to .55P – There are no personnel identified. ‘1989 ADV TRAINING’ annotated on negatives sleeve.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, 4 fd svy sqn

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 a fortified base camp alongside an Australian Fire Support Base, houses engineers involved in the construction of 'fire trails' which were cut through dense jungle of known infiltration, to cut NVA/VietCong lines of communications and supply (circa April 1969)photograph, fire support base, gibbons collection catalogue, nva/vc, fire trails, jungle, nva viet cong, denis gibbons

Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)Coloured image of 7 soldiers (5 shirtless) posed on the edge of a foxhole with jungle in background. L-R Willie Swicegood (USA), John White (AATTV-Aus), Ken Benway (USA), Frank Lucas (Aust), Clay Aitkins (USA), Glenn Miller (USA), Don Cameron (Aust)john white, aattv, battle of ngok tavak

This is a set of 16 photographs taken in 1985* during 4th Field Survey Squadron’s deployment on Operation NERVOSE 85 in the Northern Territory. Operation NERVOSE 85 was mounted by 4 Fd Svy Sqn in the EAST ARNHEM, VICTORIA RIVER DOWNS AND DALY WATERS areas from 26 May to 18 Sep 85. The aim of Operation NERVOSE 85 was to finalise the horizontal and vertical control for mapping at a scale of 1:50,000, to field check 40x 1:50,000 preliminary maps and to obtain mapping photography in support of the RAAF TINDAL redevelopment project. *Note –These photos were most likely taken in 1985, contrary to the ‘1987’ date annotated on the negative sleeves. The Op NERVOSE 85 Project Report available on RASVY’s web site lists a nominal roll of personnel. Photos of 4 Fd Svy Sqn taken in 1985 and 1987 provide names of posted personnel. Several personnel identified in these photos were posted to 4 Fd Svy Sqn in 1985, not in 1987. See items 6504.13P, 6505.28P and 6507.20P for more photos taken prior to and during Operation NERVOSE 1985. This is a set of 16 photographs taken in 1985 during 4th Field Survey Squadron’s deployment on Operation Nervose in the Northern Territory. The black & white photographs are on 35mm negative film and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 96 dpi. ..1) & .2) - Photo, black & white, 1985. Q-store and OPS Room. .3) & .4) - Photo, black & white, 1985. Base Camp at unknown location. .5) - Photo, black & white, 1985. Personnel spectate during a social cricket match. L to R on left: CPL Andy Lucas, unidentified (x3). L to R on right: unidentified (x4), LTCOL Kevin Murphy – SO1 Svy HQ FF Comd, unidentified, SSGT Barry Lutwyche OAM (closest to camera). .6) - Photo, black & white, 1985. Personnel spectate during a social cricket match. L to R on left: unidentified (x2). L to R on right: unidentified (x3), LCPL Chris ‘Charlie’ Brown (standing up), SSGT Barry Lutwyche OAM (closest to camera), LTCOL Kevin Murphy – SO1 Svy HQ FF Comd. .7) - Photo, black & white, 1985. CPL Andy Lucas plans an exit strategy from the latrine. .8) to .10) - Photo, black & white, 1985. Social cricket match action. .11) to .14) - Photo, black & white, 1985. LCPL Chris ‘Charlie’ Brown operates a second-generation Transit Doppler satellite Magnavox MX-1502 Satellite Surveyor Geoceiver. .15) to .16) - Photo, black & white, 1985. LCPL Steve McGuiness sets up a Geoceiver antenna..1P to .16P – There are no personnel identified. ‘1987 OP NERVOSE VICTORIA RIVER DOWNS AND DALY WATERS.’ annotated on negative sleeve.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, 4 fd svy sqn, op nervose 85

This is a set of 23 photographs of surveyors and support staff in the field undertaking tasks in New Guinea 1956 – 1957. The surveyors were employed in the establishment of mapping and geodetic control for Project Cutlass, the “Ship-Shore” survey of the New Ireland province. In this survey operation surveyors used theodolites to observe horizontal and vertical angles and chains to measure base line distances between survey stations. Bob Skitch shown in photo .7P was in the 2nd year of his career in the Australian Army. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and his last appointment was the CO of the Army Survey Regiment from 1976 to 1980.This is a set of 23 photographs of surveyors and support staff in the field undertaking duties during Project Cutlass located in New Ireland, New Guinea 1956 – 1957. The photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 300 dpi. .1) - Photo, colour, 1956. Surveyors travelling main road from Kavieng to Namatanai, New Ireland. .2) - Photo, colour, 1956. Unidentified surveyors assessing recovery of their vehicle after bridge collapsed on west side of New Ireland. .3) - Photo, colour, 1956. Unidentified surveyors assessing recovery of their vehicle after bridge collapsed over flooded creek on west side of New Ireland. .4) - Photo, colour, 1956. Survey personnel L to R: Bev Uwins, John Lambie, Bob Thompson, New Ireland. .5) - Photo, colour, 1956. Survey base camp, New Ireland. .6) - Photo, black & white, 1956-1957. Geoff Helsham with possible human remains, New Ireland. .7) - Photo, black & white, 1956-1957. Bob Skitch undertaking survey observations using Wild T2 theodolite, New Ireland. .8) - Photo, black & white, 1956-1957. Chas Beach undertaking survey observations using Wild T2 theodolite, New Ireland. .9) & .10) - Photo, black & white, 1956-1957. Kev Parker (cook) New Ireland. .11) - Photo, colour, 1957. Brian Berkery taking a break, Top Manor Island, Lihir Island Group off New Ireland. Latitude -2° 46”, Longitude 152° 40”. .12) - Photo, colour, 1957. Survey base camp L to R: Chas Beach, Bev Uwins, Feni Islands, New Ireland. Latitude -4° 05”, Longitude 153° 45”. .13) - Photo, colour, 1957. A Hous Kiap. (Kiaps, known formally as district officers and patrol officers, were travelling representatives of the British and Australian governments), New Ireland. .14) & .15) - Photo, colour, 1957. L to R: Joe Farrington, Tom Royle Bob undertaking survey observations using theodolites from an improvised timber tower, New Ireland. .16) & .17) - Photo, colour, 1957. US Army ship FS216 used for ship-to-shore triangulation docked at Rabaul, New Britain. .18) - Photo, colour, 1957. US Army ship FS216 used for ship-to-shore triangulation docked at Kavieng, New Ireland. Sight target on top of mast. .19) - Photo, colour, 1957. Survey personnel onboard US Army ship FS392, L to R: Peter Frodsham, Bob Thompson, Doc Reid, John Underwood, remainder unidentified, New Ireland. .20) - Photo, colour, 1957. Survey base line party heading ashore, New Ireland. .21) - Photo, colour, 1957. Survey personnel rowing US Army assault boat L to R: Kev Parker, Chas Beach, folded up survey beacons overhanging stern, New Ireland. .22) - Photo, colour, 1957. Les Bailey onboard US Army ship departing Rabaul, New Britain for Brisbane. .23) - Photo, colour, 1957. Ron Newman onboard US Army ship departing Rabaul, New Britain for Brisbane. Active volcano in background..1P to .23P annotated on back – ‘Operation Cutlass’, personnel names, the year and the location. royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, fortuna, a, army svy regt, asr, surveying

This is a set of 10 photographs of surveyors and support staff in the field undertaking duties in the Northern Territory and North Queensland in 1959 – 1960. The surveyors were employed in the establishment of mapping and geodetic control. In this era surveyors used theodolites to observe horizontal and vertical angles and tellurometers to measure base line distances between survey stations. Laplace survey observations seen in Photo .1P was a series of precise observations carried out at geodetic survey stations to determine astronomic latitudes, longitudes and azimuths to achieve maximum precision in the survey network. Laplace observations were necessary in a geodetic network at every 6th survey station, however the National Mapping Council specified at this time the spacing would be ideally between 4-6 survey stations. The cairn shown in photo .4P was built by RASvy as a landmark over a trigonometric survey station. It was dismantled in 1960 to enable re-occupation and survey observations. It was not restored to the condition shown in the photo.This is a set of 10 photographs of surveyors and support staff in the field undertaking duties in the Northern Territory (NT) and Queensland (QLD) in 1959 – 1960. The photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 300 dpi. .1) - Photo, colour, 1959. Tony Slattery occupying a Laplace survey station on a hill in the Mount Young area of the NT. .2) - Photo, colour, 1959. Surveyors’ camp in the Mount Young area of the NT, L to R: Spencer Snow and Tony Slattery. .3) - Photo, colour, 1959. Surveyors’ camp in the Peckman Hill area, near Katherine in the NT. .4) - Photo, colour, 1959. Cairn on Trig Hill, Borroloola, NT. Built by Spencer Snow, Tom Royle and Jack McCabe. .5) - Photo, colour, 1959. Survey party taking a break next to their Austin Champ vehicle, in transit between Katherine, NT and Wyndam WA. L to R: Tony Slattery, Dave Owens, John Van De Graff. .6) - Photo, colour, 1960. Surveyors’ camp between Mount Isa, QLD and Borroloola, NT. L to R: Pat Cox and John Van De Graff prepare their meal on an open fire. .7) - Photo, colour, 1960. Surveyor - Dennis Woods undertaking survey observations, using MRA1 tellurometer to measure base-line distances NW of Mount Isa, QLD. .8) - Photo, colour, 1960. Unidentified surveyors assessing recovery of their stalled Studebaker truck vehicle after attempting a water crossing in the NT. .9) - Photo, colour, 1960. Unidentified surveyor making batches of bread at a camp in the NT. Seen in the photo placing a lid with hot coals onto the camp oven. .10) - Photo, colour, 1960. Unidentified survey party occupying a survey station on a hill in the Mount near the Lawn Hill area, NW of Mount Isa, QLD. A MRA1 tellurometer to measure base-line distances appear on the right side of the photo. .9) - Photo, colour, 1960. Unidentified surveyors assessing recovery of their stalled Studebaker truck vehicle after attempting a water crossing in the NT. .10) - Photo, colour, 1960. Unidentified surveyor making batches of bread at a camp in the NT. Seen in the photo placing a lid with hot coals onto the camp oven. .1P to .10P annotated on back – personnel names, the year and the location. royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, asr, army svy regt, fortuna, surveying

Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. On the right is (Staff )Sergeant Charles Edmund MORRIS V4127 and 7349 who served with the 7th Battalion during WW1. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Image relates to a "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria.Black and white reproduced photograph of 11 aboriginal soldiers in two rows with Officer standing in middle of back row and Sergeant on far right.Attached to rear - Abo Platoon with Corporal Mullett on right (left)of platoon Hon Major J A Wright centre Sergeant Morris on left (right) - Wangaratta 1940 - J A Wright 1940 Wangno 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon, joseph albert wright, charles edmund morris

Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Samuel Richard RANKIN VX48201 DOB 23/7/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Stewart HOOD VX47351 DOB 23/1/1903 Enlisted 18/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 William GORRIE VX48208 DOB 22/11/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 David John MULLETT VX48195 DOB 10/6/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Arthur Alexander (Tom?) MULLETT VX48198 DOB 25/11/1914 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Image relates to a "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria. In addition to normal army training they performed guard duty at the Army Hospital and Camp. They formed the Gum Leaf Band and led the troops at community singing and assisted in Methodist Church services.Black and white photograph of 11 aboriginal soldiers with rifles in two rows standing 'at ease'Typed on Rear - Aboriginal Guard Wangno 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon

Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Image relates to a "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria.Black and white photograph of 7 aboriginal soldiers with rifles on grass ridge.Attached to rear - Posting sentries - Wangaratta end of 1940 - J A Wright 1940 Wangno 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon

Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Image relates to a "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria.Black and white photograph of aboriginal soldier holding rifle and young girlAttached to rear - Little girl asking Guard if she can go into Showgrounds Wangaratta end of 1940 - J A Wright 1940 Wangno 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon

Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Image relates to a "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria.Black and white photograph of all aboriginal platoon on parade in two row formation during Officer's inspection.Attached to rear - Inspection Platoon by Colonel Rogers Wangaratta Dec1940 - J A Wright 1940no 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon

Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Image relates to a "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria.Black and white photograph of all aboriginal platoon in single file holding rifles.Attached to rear - Platoon by Colonel Rogers Wangaratta Dec 1940 - J A Wright 1940 Wangno 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon

Plaque present to Corporal Sperry BODSWORTH MID who served with the 2/21st Battalion and involved with the Battle of Ambon. 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 in the shape of a shield mounted with a metal a coat of arms depicting white seagull above black and orange diamond within pale blue oval shape.Gull Force 2/21 Battalion Ambon Laha Plaque - Cpl Sperry Bodsworth VX23435 MIDgull force, 2/21 battalion, ambon, ww2

Warrandyte artist, Clara Southern, features on the Artists Trail. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p189 Since early in the 20th century this district has attracted artists and other creative people. So much so, that Eltham has been compared to the Left Bank in Paris, New York’s Greenwich Village and London’s Bloomsbury. That is until the 1970s when Eltham rapidly expanded into a suburb. However many artists still flourish not only in Montsalvat, Dunmoochin and the Bend of Islands but elsewhere in Nillumbik. Some artists who have worked or lived in Nillumbik are well-known nationally and internationally. Artists are attracted to the hilly district’s subtle colours, unique light and the Yarra River and Diamond Creek. The railway’s extension to Eltham in 1902 brought artists to paint for the day or to camp. Then many settled in Eltham, perhaps also because the poor quality land, far from the city, was cheap. Following World War Two they found they could build houses and studios cheaply by making their own mud-bricks. The flexible material, with its warm tones blending into the bush, also satisfied their aesthetic sensibilities. As early as 1900, Will Longstaff, known for his painting The Ghosts of Menin Gate at the National War Memorial in Canberra, lived at Stanhope in Peter Street, Eltham, later to become the home of intellectuals Clem and Nina Christensen. Members of Australia’s first significant art movement, the Heidelberg School of Artists, painted in Eltham, Warrandyte and Diamond Creek. Walter Withers lived at the corner of Bolton and Brougham Street, Eltham and taught Sir Hans Heysen, who for a short while stayed with the Withers family. In Warrandyte were Clara Southern, whom Frederick McCubbin taught at the National Gallery School and Penleigh Boyd, who is represented in all Australian state galleries and the National Collection in Canberra. May Vale, daughter of politician William, lived in Diamond Creek. With Jane Price they feature on the Heidelberg School Artists Trail, part of which runs through Nillumbik. The trail includes signs each displaying a reproduction of a painting by an artist and located near where the artist lived or painted. In Nillumbik the trail includes parts of Warrandyte, Eltham in the Alistair Knox Park, Main Road shopping precinct and Wingrove Park, the Research walking track on Main Road and the Diamond Creek Reserve. In 1916 artist William ‘Jock’ Frater lived at the corner of Arthur and Bible Streets, Eltham. Before then, Frater, with other artists including Percy Leason (who moved to Eltham in the mid 1920s) painted in Eltham on weekends. They camped near Bible and Pitt Streets and along the Diamond Creek where the Eltham Retirement Centre now stands.4 In 1921, painter Peter Newbury (father to painter David Newbury, who was born in Eltham) moved to Cromwell Street, Eltham. Max Meldrum, the first Australian painter to formulate a consistent theory of art largely based on tone,5 taught local artists Alan Martin, Clarice Beckett, Peter Glass and Justus Jörgensen. Meldrum visited Eltham then rented a house there for 18 months opposite Wingrove Park. In 1934, artist and architect Justus Jörgensen and his doctor wife Lil and friends built Montsalvat, the artists’ colony. Montsalvat has played an important part in attracting artists to Eltham and its mud-brick, pisé, stone and recycled building materials has had a major influence on Eltham’s built environment. Jörgensen’s students who also helped him build Monstalvat included Arthur Munday, Lesley Sinclair, Helen Lempriere, Joe Hannan, Helen, Sonia and jeweller/sculptor, Matcham Skipper. Among artists who visited Montsalvat were Clifton Pugh and Angry Penguins’ artists Albert Tucker and Arthur Boyd. Some who painted after World War Two were Alan Martin of Eltham and Warrandyte artists Frank Crozier and Harry De Hartog6, one of Melbourne’s first painters influenced by Cubism.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, clara southern, main road, research (vic), heidelberg school artists trail

Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)Coloured image of John (Jed) White, aged 26 arriving at Tan Son Nhut Airport in full uniform, bag straps over left shoulder. Close- up of chest and head with plane visible in the background.AWM - p 11058,001capt john (jed) white, aattv, battle of ngok tavak

Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)A wooden shield painted grey/black celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Ngok Tavak. There are three messages from mates written in black on the back. The shield was presented to Capt John (Jed) White.Presented to Captain John White, AATTV from the men of the Mobile Strike Force, Danang, Vietnam, 1968.mobile strike force, capt john (jed) white, shield, battle of ngok tavak

Cover khaki and white. Picture of field gun, three soldiers. Vietnam written in red with yellow outline. Postcard pack consisting of 14 (including front cover) scenes of military life and work in VietnamA Land of Conflict Vietnam Back - Base Camp, An Khepostcard, vietnam, soldiers, julian peter mcnamara, mcnamara, australian army, 3794332, trooper, royal australian armoured corps, national service, b squadron, a squadron, 1st armoured regiment

Article One - Image of Private Wally Atkinson from Barmah, Victoria a descendant of Murray tribe. Article Two - Mealtime - image of aborigines at meal time Article Three - Swingtime - image of aborigines practisiing latest hits on gum leaves - members of gum leaf band have raised much money for local hospital,comfort funds. Article Four - Goanna Soup? image of Pte E Foster and Cook H L Harvey with "Myrtleford Mary" camp mascot (goanna) Article Five (on rear) - Canteen - image of aborignal squad at canteen. Aboriginal soldiers formed a special all volunteer platoon at No 9 Camp Wangaratta in Victoria from late 1940 until February 1941. No 9 Camp was set up at the Wangaratta Showgrounds to allow the formation of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion prior to leaving for Egypt. Major Joseph Albert Wright a WW1 Light Horse veteran was in charge of this platoon the only Aboriginal squad in the Australian Military Forces at that time. The soldiers from Lake Tyers enlisted at Caulfield between June and July 1940 include Harold Cornelius HAYES VX 48217 DOB 2/4/1916 Enlisted 25/7/40 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward FOSTER VX48218 DOB 25/5/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Noel Ernest HOOD VX48194 DOB 3/1/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Edward Leslie MULLETT VX48199 DOB 30/6/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Samuel Richard RANKIN VX48201 DOB 23/7/1910 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Stewart HOOD VX47351 DOB 23/1/1903 Enlisted 18/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 William GORRIE VX48208 DOB 22/11/1921 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 David John MULLETT VX48195 DOB 10/6/1919 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Arthur Alexander (Tom?) MULLETT VX48198 DOB 25/11/1914 Enlisted 25/7/1940 Discharged 22/3/1941 Images relates to the "special platoon" based at No 9 Camp Wangaratta as being the Australian Army's first all Aboriginal Unit formed in 1940. The soldiers were all volunteers mainly from Lake Tyers in Victoria. In addition to normal army training they performed guard duty at the Army Hospital and Camp. They formed the Gum Leaf Band and led the troops at community singing and assisted in Methodist Church services. Four black and white newspaper articles adhered to cream paperno 9 camp wangaratta, aboriginal platoon, 1940

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 1st Australian Task Force Commander (Oct 68 - Sep 69) Brigadier C.M.I. "Sandy" Pearson MC and his Aide 2Lt Paul Coleman Royal Australian Armoured Corps, watch task force Royal Australian Regiment Infantry depart on a helibourne assault to commence operationsphotograph, 1st atf base, brig sandy pearson, 2lt paul coleman, raac, royal australian regiment, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, raac, royal australian army corps, 1st australian task force, brigadier "sandy" c.m.i. pearson, aide de camp, helibourne assault, denis gibbons

Illustrated book. Front cover has two coloured photographs: one is of a group of soldiers with three helicopters about to land (members of 5 platoon B Company 7RAR wait for US Army helicopters waiting to take them back to Nui Dat after completion of Operation Ulmarra) The other is of two women wearing green uniforms and peaked caps holding a baby and standing in front of a building with a corrugated roof (RAANC Margaret Ahern and Terrie Roche with children of Hoa Long village) Title (green and black ink) and author's name (light brown ink) are printed between these photos. This information is printed in similar colours on the spine, along with a small photograph of two women in uniform (RAANC Margaret Ahern and Terrie Roche) and the publisher's name. The back cover has a summary of the book printed below five photographs, nurse (Janice Hilton) with patient; nurse (June Minchow) with patient; man (Phil Badcock) and woman (RAANC Di Lawrence); unidentified nurse with four patients strapped to stretchers inside an RAAF Hercules aircraft; two nurses (Von Clinch and Maureen Spicer) with children (at Bien Hoa provincial hospital). non-fictionWhen Australia joined the Vietnam War, civilian nurses were there to save lives and comfort the wounded. Working incredibly long hours and surrounded by chaos and turmoil, these brave nurses and medics were integral to our war effort. These fifteen stories show a side to the Vietnam War that has received little recognition but played an important part in shaping Australia's presence in the war.royal australian army nursing corps, butterwowth air base, military nursing-australia\military nursing-vietnam, vietnam war 1961-1975-medical care, military hospitals-vietnam, military camps-malaysia, military camps-philippines-clark field

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

Photograph of Private later Corporal Sperry Bodsworth born 27/8/1909. In 1940 aged 30 years he enlisted in the Army and assigned to the 2/21 Battalion. On 13/12/1941 the Battalion was deployed from Darwin to Ambon in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, to form part of "Gull Force". The Battle of Ambon occurred between 30 January to 3 February, 1942. In April 1942 Bodsworth was listed as missing and on 1/6/1942 was reported as a Prisoner of War. Bodsworth was awarded a Mention in Despatches.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 containing black and white photograph of WW2 Soldier wearing slouch hatww2, gull force, ambon, sperry bodsworth, pow

The postcard was sent by Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. He sent a number of postcards home to his family in Ascot, Victoria. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) This photograph is significant because it was taken by a soldier (rather than an official war artist) and shows one of the daya to day activities experienced by Australian Soldiers in Egypt during World War One.A number of tents and soldiers in a dry landscape. They are Australian Soldiers At Metras, Egypt during World War One. Verso: 'Breaking Camp at Metras prior to making our departure from there on March 28th.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, harry holmes, world war, world war 1, world war one, world war i, metras, egypt

The postcard was written on by Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) Sepia photograph showing a number of tents used by Australian soldiers during World War One, with the Suez Canal in the foreground. Verso "A camp five miles from ours. Snap take [3 words covered in blue pencil by the censor - they appear to say 'across the Canalchatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, harry holmes, suez canal, egypt, ascot

The photograph is associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html)Two postcards showing Australian army camp at Metras Camp, Egypt .1) A soldier sits on a horse in front of a cart. Lines of horses are in the background behind a post and rail fence. .2 A horse is hitched to a manure cart at Metras Camp, Egypt. Lines of horses are in the background. .1) verso - 'Taken at Metras Camp' .2) verso - 'A native horse and cart carting manure at horse lines.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, egypt, ascot

Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)Black framed glass covered flag. Red material with gold fringe, gold writing with Blackbird in the centre with parachute holding 2 white swords standing on a gold star. 11Co. in gold underneath. Gold plaque mounted under the flag.GUIDON OF 11 COY (NUNG) MOBILE STRIKE FORCE (MIKE FORCE) /5th SF GROUP, 1 CORPS, SVN/ A Significant number of AATTV personnel served with this Nung Company based in Da Nang./ At the end of the Vietnam War, this flag was taken by a former US SF officer and held until/ when it was given to former Captain John "Jed" White (AATTV), CO 11 Coy (Nung), who led/ the MIKE Forces at the Battle of Ngok Tavak on 10 May 1968.battle of ngok tavak, mobile strike force, nung, john white

The photograph is associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) A photograph of the cemetery at Metras, Alexandria, Egypt. It shows many graves and monuments.Verso: 'Snap taken of the Egyptian Cemetery near our camp at Metras, Alexandria.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, harry holmes, metras, alexandria, egypt