Framed mounted - Military Medal Keith Downward; Australian Active Service Medal with clasp Vietnam; Vietnam Medal; Australian Defence Medal; Australian National Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal with clasp 1960. A certified True Copy of the citation for the Military Medal. Aluminium frame olive matt board, 6 medals and plaque. 1 infantry combat badge, 1 rising sun badge, 1 7RAR Corps badge, 3 black and white Photograph, Photograph 1 reads Pte Keith Downward receives the ribbon of the Military Medal from his Commanding Officer Major Jake O'Donnell at the 1st Australian Task Force Base (1ATF), Nui Dat, South Vietnam 25th February 1968. Photograph 2 reads Pte Keith Downward, the first Military Medal Winner from 7th battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR), Nui Dat, South Vietnam 25th February 1968. Photograph 3 reads Major General R W Knights, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Southern Command congratulates Military Medal recipient Keith Downward 7RAR accompanied by his wife Ann, for single handedly capturing an enemy machine gun post. Captain Ernest G Crooks MBE looks on.3788618 Pte. Keith Downard M.M. / A Company 7 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment / the Military Medal was awarded for his actions during the battle of Suoi Chau Pha on 6th August 1967./ The training platoon of 7 RAR is named the Downward MM platoon in honour of Keith Downard7 rar, keith downward, military medal, battle of suoi chau pha, maj jake o'donnell, maj gen r w knights, capt ernest g crooks, a coy, downard

Vietnam War Troops of the 1st Australian Armoured Regiment during a briefing at Vung Tau In 1967, the Royal Australian Armoured Corps' (RAAC), 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) Squadron transferred to "A" Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment Vietnam. Although they successfully conducted combat operations in their areas of operation(s) (AOs), reports from the field stated that their light-armour (M-113 ACAVs) were unable to force their way through dense jungle[15] limiting their offensive actions against enemy forces. The Australian government, under criticism from Parliament, decided to send a Squadron of Australian Centurion tanks to South Vietnam.[15] The 84 mm-gunned[16] Australian Centurions of 'C' Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment landed in the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) on 24 February 1968, and were headquartered at Nui Dat in III Corps (MR3).[17] 52 Ton main battle TankARN Number 169090 and tacsign 106tank armoured vietnam centurion mbt

This is one of the last 50 x 105 mm cannon shells fired in Sth Vietnam..1) Brass Cannon Shell rimmed. .2) Cardboard tube with end caps to hold shell. .3) Card, RAA Badge..1) Base of shell stamped: “105 mm M14 Type 1 Lot ERM-1-43 1943” Place at base: “Presentation case number 31 of 50. Fired at Nui Dat Sth Vietnam by A Field Battery on the occasion of the Centenary of the Battery, 1 August 1971 whilst on active service with 12 field Regt RAA” .2) Marked: “Container M105A2 UAC 105 mm HOW” .3) Card: “This cartridge is number 31 of 50. Presented to Col Comdt E Comb by the Commanding Officer and all Ranks 12 Field Regiment RAA, Sth Vietnam 1971”.arms-ammunition, military history-army

Peter Ball was conscripted for two years National Service beginning on 23.4.1969 Regt No 3796117. Postings, Recruit Training Puckapunyal Vic, Infantry Corp Training Singleton NSW, Infantry Corp Reinforcement Wing Ingleburn NSW, Jungle Training Centre Canungra QLD 3 weeks, ankle injury 5.9.69, return to Ingleburn, Basic Signals Course Ingleburn 5.11.69 - 10.12.69, Volunteered for service Vietnam, passed medically fit, fly out 3.3.1970 for Saigon, posted to Reinforcement Wing Nui Dat for 3 weeks acclimatisation training, posted to 6 Pl B Coy 8 RAR 25.3.70, embark HMAS Sydney for Australia 1.11.70, disembark Brisbane 12.11.70, posted to Enogerra Barracks Brisbane, posted to Vic Barracks Melbourne 5.3.1971 for discharge, posted to Sale 2 weeks with CMF fortnight Camp, discharged from the Army 23.4.1971 with the rank of PTE. Enlist in the CMF Geraldton WA in A Coy 16 RWAR on 24.6.1978 same Regt No, discharged re interstate transfer on 18.2.1981, rank L/Cpl.Pay Book No C 23443, brown covers with green tape on binding, print in black on front, hand written in black texta, white label on with hand writing in blue pen, 40 pages with entries in blue & red hand writing, large purple “DISCHARGED” stamp on many pages, rear page has a yellow envelope taped on with 3 X “Pay Book variation Authority” slips in, off white, layout in green, typing in black with red hand written items on, rear page cover has photo of a soldier with name, rank and date onFront cover in texta, “3796117 BALL PETER CHARLES”, date stamp on page 1 “23 APR 1969”, rear page photo date has ,”26.4.69”. Pay book Variations Authorities dated, “14.12.70, 14.12.70, 15.12.70” pay books, administrative record, soldiers

Operation Hammersley , 10 February until 9 March 1970, was undertaken by a combined force of: C Company, 8th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (8RAR); armoured personnel carriers from 3 Cavalry Regiment; tanks from 1 Armoured Regiment; sappers from the Royal Australian Engineers; a mortar section from 8RAR’s Support Company; air support, and even a Navy destroyer off-shore to provide gunfire support. The operation aimed to protect 17 Construction Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers, at a quarry in the western foothills of the Long Hai hills. The Long Hai hills were a stronghold for the Viet Cong, who used the caves there as a bunker complex and had planted many landmines and booby traps in the area. Over two fierce weeks, 8 RAR carried out patrols and conducted ambushes, engaging VC troops and eventually capturing the bunker system. However, it was a costly campaign. In total, over 70 Australians were killed or wounded during the operation. The worst day for mine casualties in Australia's war in Vietnam occurred on 28 February 1970. It became known as 'Black Saturday". Nine members of 8RAR were killed and 29 wounded. This item is the Order of Service from the memorial service held at Nui Dat on 3 April 1970 to honour those killed at Long Hai. It was issued to the donor, National Serviceman G G Ravenscroft, who was serving in 1 Platoon, A Company 8RAR during Operation Hammersley, and received a minor shrapnel wound on Black Saturday.Two typed A-4 pages that have been folded into booklet, now flattened and framed. Listed are the prayers, Bible readings and sermon given, along with the names of the 8 fallen soldiers, and the chaplains who officiated.8rar, long hai, long hai hills, black saturday, 1970, operation hammersley, ravenscroft, geoff ravenscroft, memorial service

Coleridge, Michael Members of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR), just north of the village of Phuoc Hai, beside the road leading to Dat Do. United States Army Iroquois helicopters are landing to take them back to Nui Dat after completion of Operation Ulmarra, the cordon and search by 7RAR of the village of Phuoc Hai. Operation Ulmarra was part of Operation Atherton, conducted by 2RAR/NZ (ANZAC) (the ANZAC Battalion comprising 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) and a component from the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) and7 RAR. Left to right Private Peter Capp (kneeling), Pte Bob Fennell (crouching, facing camera), Corporal Bob Darcy (left of Fennell), Pte Neal Hasted (centre, front), Pte Ian Jury (cnetre, back, holding rifle), Pte Colin Barnett (front, right), Lance Corporal Stan Whitford (left of Barnett), the helicopter marshal at right is Pte John Raymond Gould. The United States Army Iroquois UH-1D helicopter is operated by 2 Platoon, 162nd Assault Helicopter Company, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion. (having achieved almost the status of an icon, this image was chosen for, and is etched on, the Vietnam Memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra ACT, dedicated in October 1992)operation ulmarra, operation atherton, 7 rar, iroquois, dat do, phuoc hai, 2nd battalion royal australian regiment, 2 rar/nz, pte peter capp, pte bob fennell, cpl bob darcy, pte neal hasted, pte ian jury, pte colin barnett, l/cpl stan whitford, pte john raymond gould, 162nd assault helicopter company

Caption under print. Soldiers of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7 RAR, preparing to board VS Iroquois helicopters during operation Ulmarrah, the cordon and search of Lang Phuoc Hai Village, South Vietnam, 26 August 1967". Members of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR), just north of the village of Lang Phuoc Hai, beside Route 44 leading to Dat Do. United States Army Iroquois helicopters are landing to take them back to Nui Dat after completion of Operation Ulmarra, the cordon-and-search by 7RAR of the coastal village of Lang Phuoc Hai. Operation Ulmarra was conducted by 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) and 7RAR with support elements. Left to right: Private (Pte) Peter Capp (kneeling); Pte Bob Fennell (leaning over, facing camera, with an ammunition belt for an M60 machine gun slung over his shoulder); Corporal Bob D'Arcy (partly obscured behind Fennell); Pte Neal Hasted (centre, front); Pte Ian Jury (partly obscured, centre, rear, holding rifle); Pte Colin Barnett (front, right, M60 ammunition belt on back, back of head to camera); Lance Corporal Stan Whitford (partly obscured behind Barnett); the helicopter marshal at right is Pte John Raymond Gould, 7RAR. The United States Army Iroquois UH-1D helicopter was operated by 2 Platoon, 162nd Assault Helicopter Company, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion. (Having achieved almost the status of an icon, this image was chosen for, and is etched on, the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra, ACT, dedicated in October 1992). Source AWM Print donated and dedicated to 3789179 FRANK FRIGERIO, 5 Platoon, B Company, 7RAR. See also Cat No. 3543-3549.3Print - coloured print of a photograph depicting three helicopters coming in to land above a dirt road with several groups of soldiers in uniform with jungle vegetation in the background. Frame - black painted metal.See in context, historical - caption under print.prints, framed, accessories, vietnam war

Three piece Poster, Information Board. Left on dark green background with yellow Corps Emblem with white text on the history of Vietnam during their 1st and 2nd tour. Centre section there is a coloured photograph of four soldiers standing in a field and four black and white Photograph to the right of the board of soldiers patrolling and resupplying with helicopter. On the right on a dark green background is a Roll of Honour to the many soldiers who lost their lives in Vietnam.2 RAR: This photo was taken by Elvon King of Delta Company in September of 1967. This photo was chosen without the knowledge of the historical significance of the shot, which proved to be very momentous. For within a very short time (about 30 seconds) of the photo being taken a wayward rocket from a U.S. gunship landed amongst this group of men in the photo, resulting in three of them being killed and forteen being wounded. Elvon King was one of the wounded. The three men in the photo are left to right Dennis (Dave) Enright who lost a and foot in the incident. Harry Leggett who received shrapnel wounds, and Stan Radomi who was killed outright. A very poignant moment in time. these thoughts about the incident from Wally Musgrave was one of those severly wounded at the time. What could have been a sunny afternoon at a Newcastle or Bondi Hotel or beer Garden..... After what could have been a week of patrolling, it was back inside the wire to scrub up and top up on fluids. Next morning, at 9.00, we went out side of the wire for a fire power, demonstration to satisfy a visiting General. The sun was shining, no seating, grass wasn't cut but we were young and so we thought bullet proof. then someone asked for the old Iroguois gun ship which had been firing rockets at a dead tree to be swung around to fire rockets over our heads. Why?? I haven't given "why" that much thought, but the 1 metre long port side rocket tumbled down amongst us and I'm sure everyone who was there can close their eyes and still see it today. This tumbling rocket landed where these three mates were standing amongst 11 and 12 platoon's young soldiers, chatting in the sun, then we were sailing through the air. I didn't see the devastation myself. I was under bodies. As first Dustoff priority we were off to 36 Evacuation Hospital at Vung Tau. There were two doos, one to the Morgue and one at the Hospital. Lucky me. I went through the Hospital door. eight major operations at once. three dead, forteen wounded and nothing on record!! Yeah it was a lovely Sunny Day at Nui Dat., we'll leave it at that! We can't change yesterday. I'm just another Nazho.poster, information board, 2 rar, elvon king

Ill, maps, p.336.non-fictionOn the afternoon of 18 August 1966, just five kilometres from the main Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat, a group of Viet Cong soldiers walked into the right flank of Delta Company, 6 RAR. Under a blanket of mist and heavy monsoon rain, amid the mud and shattered rubber trees, a dispersed Company of 108 men held its ground with courage and grim determination against a three-sided attack from a force of 2,500 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army troops. When the battle subsided, 18 Australian soldiers lay dead and 24 had been wounded. Battlefield clearance revealed 245 enemy bodies with captured documents later confirming the count at over 500 enemy killed and 800 wounded. These men were led by a gruff and gusty perfectionist, Major Harry Smith. Now, some 47 years after the battle, Harry tells his story for the first time. But Long Tan is more than just an account of a historic battle. Harry Smith takes his readers on an extraordinary journey - one that ultimately reveals a remarkable cover-up at the highest military and political echelons. Long Tan is also Harry's life story and portrays his many personal battles, from failed marriages to commando-style killing; from a horrific parachute accident through to his modern-day struggles with bureaucracy for recognition for his soldiers. Harry's battles are tempered by his love of sailing, where he has at last found some peace. Long Tan portrays the wrenching, visceral experience of a man who has fought lifelong battles, in a story that he is only now able to tell. Harry can still hear the gunfire and smell the blood spilt at Long Tan. For him, the fight continues. Collapse summary vietnam conflict - australian involvement, vietnam war 1961-1975 – battles – long tan

Kenny was barely nineteen years old, a wide-eyed Aboriginal kid from the bush, when he left Australia for a tour of duty in Vietnam. From the fleshpots of Saigon to the 'sharp end' clearing mines at Nui Dat, there was a lot to learn for a young man in a strange country, fighting a murky, confusing war. australia. army - aboriginal troops, vietnam

On 19 August 1966, the war in Viet Nam became a reality to the Australian people. It was announced in the press, and later in the parliament, that a battle had occurred near Task Force Base at Nui Dat. vietnam war, 1961-1975 - fiction, australia - armed forces - fiction

A black and white photograph of Diggers of 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) raise the Aussie flag with the Battalion flag below on the summit of Nui May Tao Mountain following the capture, after very heavy fighting, of the NVA/VietCong K76A Hospital. The Piper was flown in from Nuit Dat and winched down to play. This was during Operation Marsdenphotograph, 6 rar/nz, operation marsden, nui may tao mountain, k76a hospital, gibbons collection catalogue, nva/vc, digger

On 19 August 1966, the war in Viet Nam became a reality to the Australian people. It was announced in the press, and later in the parliament, that a battle had occurred near Task Force Base at Nui Dat. vietnam war, 1961-1975 - fiction, australia -- armed forces -- fiction