Equipment similar to that worn by commandos involved in Rip Disaster. On the evening of February 17, 1960, 74 peacetime commandos in army boats set off on a training exercise from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean, simulating a raid. Swept out to sea through The Rip as they crossed the bay from Point Lonsdale, George ''Taffy'' Drakopoulos and Eddie Meyer drowned before they could be rescued. Another man, Roger Wood, selflessly helped his fellow commandos up a rope ladder to safety from a Zodiac inflatable, only to be flung off the end into an angry sea somewhere beyond The Rip. The three dead men were all from Melbourne, all aged around 20.Lifeboat Queenscliff assisted in the search for the lost commandos in February 1960Army commando webbing belt and pair of gaiterswebbing, uniform, commandos, rip disaster

Standard Army issue item from 1937. In service during and after World War 2. Web belt, 1937 pattern with brass buckles and keepers. Original finish - not treated with blanco, paint etc.uniform, webbing, belt, equipment

Example of Australian Army standard issue belt worn by soldiers during the 1970s. This was a USA Army design adopted by the ADF during the Vietnam conflict. The belt is jungle green in colour with multiple mounting points for special clips which hold a variety of pouches.

Example of Australian Army standard issue belt worn by soldiers during the 1970s. This was a USA Army design adopted by the ADF during the Vietnam conflict. This belt is fitted with a pouch for carrying the standard water canteen and is complete with the standard issue water canteen and mess cup.

Olive green military individual equipment belt with twelve vertical rows of three brass eyelets. Each end has brass caps with a hook. Horizontal weave. Potentially from second half of the 20th century. Not necessarily complete. No markingsbelt, pistol, equipment, web gear