The Benalla Drill Hall was an original8/13 VMR depot. It was closed for a period in the 1970s then reopened in early 1980s.Colour photograph of 14 soldiers of A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles at Benalla Drill Hall c. 1983" Aslt Troop Benalla Depot, Back: Tpr Petering, Lynch, Butler, ( two unknown, Centre: Tpr. Dudley ( unknown), Grant, ( Unknown ). Front: Lt. Carrington, Pte Tucknott ( Unknown ), Pte. Hilton ( Unknown ).

Courses Camps were held separate to annual exercise in order to train soldiers in driving and radio operator skillsBlack and white photograph of group in bush setting at Puckapunyal 1983. Standing at centre of group is Sir David Fairbairn, Honorary Colonel 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles." Courses Camp 1983. L to R Capt. Cameron, WO11 Gaughan, Hon Col Sir David Fairbairn, Pte Capelhorn, Tpr Marshall."

Each cavalry squadron included an Assault Troop able to carry out a variety of dismounted tasksBlack and white photograph of group of soldiers 'cammed up ' ready to undertake a tactical exercise. They have blank firing attachment on their 7.62mm SLR rifles. They are the Assault Troop A Squadron8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.

Cavalry squadron included an Assault troop able to carry out dismounted tasksColour photograph of line of M 113 Armoured Personnel Carriers drawn up on side of road. Assault troopers can be seen positioned in open hatch. Berets and hat badges identify them as 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.

The extensive stock routes of the Booligal area made a good training area for a reconnaissance squadron.Black and white photograph of Private Roche, A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles at wheel of Land Rover during annual exercise in Booligal area 1983.

The reconnaissance squadron made use of the wide stock routes in the Booligal area for training.Black and white photograph of 3 soldiers studying a map while on 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles annual exercise at Booligal NSW in 1983. From left : Captain D. Cameron, SERGEANT e bEASLEY AND lIEUTENANT cOLONEL d. hUNTER.

This was probably a training course conducted at the Armoured Centre, Puckapunyal.Black and white photograph of eight soldiers from Armoured Corps regiments with M113 Medium Reconnaissance Vehicle. 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles soldiers are Trooper Pye, left front; Sergeant Laughton, right front; and Trooper Kevin Collihole, right rear.

8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles often provided escorts and lance markers at parades at bandiana.Black and white photograph of officer with sword and sergeant with lance exchanging salutes at the handover/takeover parade for the Area Commander at Bandiana, 1982. Sergeant Meechan is the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles soldier.

The Technical Support Troop which was equipped with a M113 Armoured Recovery Vehicle ( ARV ) provided first line recovery and repair to a Reconnaince SquadronColour photograph of M113 Armoured Recovery Vehicle towing a disabled M113 Light Reconnance Vehicle during 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles annual exercise at Balranald NSW.

Western plains of southern New South Wales provided good training areas for a unit practicing reconnaissance tasks.Colour photograph of four 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles soldiers on an M113 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle ( LRV ) during Annual exercise at Balranald NSW. From left: Lance Corporal lM. Roberts, Captain T. Fraser, Lieutenant T. Goode and Trooper Bone.

The Combat Vehicle Crewman's ( CVC ) helmet incorporated headphones and microphone. The helmet was plugged into the vehicle radio harness allowing Crew Commander to talk to his crew.Black and white photograph of crewman wearing helmet in drivers seat of M113 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle ( LRV ), being Lance Corpora lMichael Roberts 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles" L/Cpl Roberts "

The western plains of southern NSW provided ideal training areas for a cavalry squadron engaged in reconnaissance training.Colour photograph of three officers of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles standing near Land Rover during annual exercise in Balranald area c. 1979. From left: Lieutenant T. Goode, Captain J. Mclean and Captain T. fraser.

In this exercise A Squadron 8/13 VMR operated under command of 2nd Cavalry Regiment. Trooper MacDonald later was commissioned as a Lieutenant commanding 2 Troop ( Cobram ).Colour photograph of soldier standing in front of M577 Armoured Command Vehicle ( ACV ) of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles during annual exercise in Ivanhoe NSW area, 1980. Trooper David Macdonald was the ACV driver.military, vehicle, soldier

In this exercise A Squadron 8/13 VMR operated under command 2nd Cavalry RegimentColour photograph of soldier standing beside M113 Armoured Command Vehicle ( ACV ) during 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles annual exercise in Ivanhoe NSW area, 1980. Lance Corporal Alister Barrie was a member of Squadron Headquarters Troop. military, vehicle, training, soldier, camouflage

In this exercise A Squadron 8/13 VMR operated under command 2 Cavalry Regiment. Major D. Hunter commanded A Squadron 1980-1982, then was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and posted as Staff Officer Grade 1 ( SO1 Armour ) on Headquarters 3rd Division.Colour photograph of officer standing beside camouflaged M113 Armoured Command Vehicle ( ACV ) during exercise in Ivanhoe NSW area, 1980. Major Doug Hunter was Officer Commanding A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.military, vehicle, training, soldier, camouflage, hunter, vmr, victorian mounted rifles, acv

Western plains of southern NSW provided good training areas for a unit practicing reconnaissance skills. Technical Support Troop provided first line repair and recovery to the reconnaissance squadron.Colour photograph of Sergeant Viv Schmidt, Technical Support Troop ( TST ) A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles standing beside a M 548 tracked load Carrier ( TLC ) on exercise near Balranald NSW.military, training, vehicle, vmr, victorian mounted rifles

Jindera, a hamlet located 15km north of Albury, conducted an annual Fair. 8/13 VMR were invited to provide a display to entertain the crowd. Community engagement aided recruiting aFour colour photographs of Ferret Scout Car and dismounted soldiers of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles engaged in a demonstrationnat a community event, c. 1995.

It required considerable practice to camouflage and conceal a vehicle of the M 113 size and shape.Colour photograph of Sergeant R. Ellison, 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles standing on M 113 Light Reconnaince Vehicle ( LRV ) positioning a support pole to hold camouflage netting. second photo shows a completed effort.

in 1991, 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles and 4/19 Prince of Wales Light Horse linked to form a new Regiment.Two colour photographs of Regimental Band of ath/19th Prince of Wales Light Horse at Australia Day parade, Corowa NSW on 23 January 1994.

Heritage Troop was an extracurricular activity of serving soldiers of the regimentColour photograph of section of 4 horsemen with drawn sabres at Australia Day Parade, Corowa NSW on 23 January 1994.They are members of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Heritage Troop.

Vehicles of the Heritage Section were crewed and maintained by serving soldiers as an extracurricular activity.Colour photograph of three Ferret Scout Cars Mark 11, of the VMR Heritage Vehicle Section at Corowa prior to the Australia Day Parade 23 January 1994.

Vehicles of the Heritage Section were crewed and maintained by serving soldiers as an extracurricular activity.Colour photograph of three Ferret Mark 11 Scout Cars of the VMR Heritage Vehicle Section at Corowa prior to the Australia Day Parade 23 January 1994.

Major Annett later commanded 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse and later again 4th Brigade, 2nd Division.Three colour photographs of Major Michael Annett, Officer Commanding VMR Squadron 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment at Australia Day Parade, Corowa NSW 23 January 1994.military, parade, light horse, sword, corowa, australia day

Vehicles are of the VMR heritage Vehicle Section. In 1991 8/13 VMR and 4/19 PWLH linked to form a new Regiment of two squadrons: VMR squadron and PWLH Squadron.Colour photograph of 4 soldiers of VMR Squadron 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse at Australia Day Parade Corowa NSW 23 January 1994 . Standing at right Sergeant Gary Wynn; seated Corporal Neil Ray.

Colour photograph of Anzac Day March in Dean Street Albury,1994.Photographer positioned in elevated position at western end of Dean Street.

37 Regional Cadet Unit based in Albury and North East Victoria received official permission to wear 8/13 VMR badge.Colour photograph of group of Army Cadets on Anzac Day 1994 at Albury. Some are wearing 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles beret badges. Unit is 37 Regional Cadet Unit.cadet, vmr, military, anzac day, albury

Following the Anzac Day March in Albury the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Training Depot was opened for drinks and food, and traditional games of chance played.Colour photograph of Crown and Anchor table at Buna Barracks Albury on Anzac Day 1994.

The Dibb Report into mainland defence of Australia,1986, among other things identified the requirement for protection of key assets in Northern Australia and the possibility of involving Army Reserve (Ares) units in this thus releasing regular forces for offensive operations. Dibb also pointed out that this defined role would result in a huge lift in Ares morale. In June 1988, the 3rd Division (3Div) conducted a Tactical Exercise without Troops (TEWT), Exercise ‘Distant Trumpet’ in the Katherine- Darwin area to study problems associated with defence against low level incursions against Tindal RAAF Base. Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ followed in October of that year when units of the 3Div including A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles sent patrol groups to get a first taste of environment and conditions. Post-Exercise reports had to include recommendations re: health, equipment and adaptation of Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) in preparation for the new role deploying to Northern Australia. The first deployment by 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles was in 1988. Deployments continued in following years. In September 1993, 3 Troop (Wangaratta) VMR Squadron 4/19 PWLH commanded by Captain Kelvin Robertson deployed to NT. The training began with airfield defence at Tindal followed by a 1000km recon into Arnhem Land in four Landrovers. The troop reported on the conditions of the roads, airfields, bridges (mainly causeways) resources such as fuel supplies in the towns and infrastructure. Each troop taking different route. 3 Troop had the Northern route through Kakadu National park across the East Alligator River to Oenpelli then to Maningrida and Ramangining and south to the Central Arnhem Road and back to Tindal Air force Base Major Annett later commanded 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse, and later again 4th Brigade 2nd Division.. Colour photograph of Major M. Annett, Officer Commanding VMR Squadron 4/19Prince of Wales's Light Horse during annual exercise Northern Territory 1994.