Shows field dress and webbing equipment worn in 1989. 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.Black and white photograph of two soldiers of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles cleaning the barrel of a 76mm gun on 76mm M113 Fire Support Vehicle. Corporal Marcos Ludeman at left.

A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles took part in Bicentennial Parade at Wodonga 2 January 1988. Parade included Light Horse Heritage Troop, Historical Vehicle Club and current armoured vehicles.Colour photograph of 2 men in uniform standing beside WW11 Jeep with machine gun mounted on pedestal. Photo is taken at Buna Barracks, Albury. Both soldiers are wearing WW11 webbing; one has steel helmet, the other is wearing 8/13 VMR beret.

‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles took part in Bicentennial Parade at Wodonga 2 January 1988. Parade included Light Horse Heritage Troop, Historical Vehicle Club and current armoured vehicles.Colour photograph of 2 soldiers standing beside M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier. Soldiers are Trooper Harding and Trooper Gratt, 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.

A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles took part in Bicentennial Parade at Wodonga 2 January 1988. Parade included Light Horse Heritage Troop, Historical Vehicle Club and current armoured vehicles.Colour photograph of 2 soldiers standing beside M 113 Armoured Personnel Carrier. Soldiers are Sergeant R. Hodge and Trooper Melton of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.

‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles took part in Bicentennial Parade at Wodonga 2 January 1988. Parade included Light Horse Heritage Troop, Historical Vehicle Club and current armoured vehicles.Colour photograph of two soldiers standing beside M 113 Armoured Command Vehicle. Soldiers are Lance Corporal Vander Velde and Corporal Onken 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.

‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles took part in Bicentennial Parade at Wodonga 2 January 1988. Parade included Light Horse Heritage Troop, Historical Vehicle Club and current armoured vehicles.Colour photograph of 2 soldiers standing behind M 113 Armoured Fitters Vehicle. Soldiers are trooper J. French and Corporal P. Ziebarth, 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.

‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles took part in Bicentennial Parade at Wodonga 2 January 1988. Parade included Light Horse Heritage Troop, Historical Vehicle Club and current armoured vehicles.Colour photograph of 2 soldiers standing beside M113 Armoured personnel carrier. Soldiers are Corporal I. Marshal and Corporal Anton Florent of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.

‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles took part in Bicentennial Parade at Wodonga 2 January 1988. Parade included Light Horse Heritage Troop, Historical Vehicle Club and current armoured vehicles.Colour photograph of 2 soldiers standing beside M 113 Armoured Personnel Carrier. Soldiers are Corporal H. Burvill and Lieutenant R. J. Marshall of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.

‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles took part in Bicentennial Parade at Wodonga 2 January 1988. Parade included Light Horse Heritage Troop, Historical Vehicle Club and current armoured vehicles.Colour photograph of 3 soldiers standing beside WW11 truck. Corporal Anton Florent 8/13 VMR in centre.florent, vmr, bicentennial, wodonga

In the period 5-20 March 1988, ‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles participated in an exercise conducted at Puckapunyal by 4th Infantry Brigade (Reserve) codenamed ‘Fiery Cauldron’. Other units participating included 5th/6th Battalion and 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment, 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment and 1st Armoured Regiment. The training focussed on armoured/infantry cooperation, in particular the use of armoured personnel carriers. Collection of five colour photographs of soldiers of A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rfles training at Puckapunyal during Exercise " Fiery cauldron" 5-20 March 1988

In the period 5-20 March 1988, ‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles participated in an exercise conducted at Puckapunyal by 4th Infantry Brigade (Reserve) codenamed ‘Fiery Cauldron’. Other units participating included 5th/6th Battalion and 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment, 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment and 1st Armoured Regiment. The training focussed on armoured/infantry cooperation, in particular the use of armoured personnel carriers. Collection of five colour photographs of soldiers and vehicles of ' A 'Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles training at Puckapunyal during Exercise " Fiery Cauldron " 5-20 March 1988.

In the period 5-20 March 1988, ‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles participated in an exercise conducted at Puckapunyal by 4th Infantry Brigade (Reserve) codenamed ‘Fiery Cauldron’. Other units participating included 5th/6th Battalion and 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment, 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment and 1st Armoured Regiment. The training focussed on armoured/infantry cooperation, in particular the use of armoured personnel carriers. Collection of three photographs of soldiers and vehicles of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles training at Puckapunyal during Exercise " Fiery Cauldron " 5 - 20 March 1988.

In the period 5-20 March 1988, ‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles participated in an exercise conducted at Puckapunyal by 4th Infantry Brigade (Reserve) codenamed ‘Fiery Cauldron’. Other units participating included 5th/6th Battalion and 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment, 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment and 1st Armoured Regiment. The training focussed on armoured/infantry cooperation, in particular the use of armoured personnel carriers. Colour photograph of group of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles soldiers at Puckapunyal during Exercise " Fiery Cauldron " 5 - 20 March 1988. Identified from left : Troopers Fabrik & Thrift, Corporal Beckett, Trooper Hale, Corporals S. Walch, Marshall and Burke.vmr, puckapunyal, fiery cauldron, exercise, training military

In the period 5-20 March 1988, ‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles participated in an exercise conducted at Puckapunyal by 4th Infantry Brigade (Reserve) codenamed ‘Fiery Cauldron’. Other units participating included 5th/6th Battalion and 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment, 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment and 1st Armoured Regiment. The training focussed on armoured/infantry cooperation, in particular the use of armoured personnel carriers. Black and white photograph of infantry soldier, Private Dale, during Exercise " Fiery Cauldron " Puckapunyal" Private Dale takes a rest. "

In the period 5-20 March 1988, ‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles participated in an exercise conducted at Puckapunyal by 4th Infantry Brigade (Reserve) codenamed ‘Fiery Cauldron’. Other units participating included 5th/6th Battalion and 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment, 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment and 1st Armoured Regiment. The training focussed on armoured/infantry cooperation, in particular the use of armoured personnel carriers. Black and white photograph of two infantry soldiers doubling forward during Exercise " Fiery Cauldron " Puckapunyal" Infantry on the move "

In the period 5-20 March 1988, ‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles participated in an exercise conducted at Puckapunyal by 4th Infantry Brigade (Reserve) codenamed ‘Fiery Cauldron’. Other units participating included 5th/6th Battalion and 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment, 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment and 1st Armoured Regiment. The training focussed on armoured/infantry cooperation, in particular the use of armoured personnel carriers. Black and white photograph of infantry soldier lying on ramp of M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier during Exercise "Fiery Cauldron " , Puckapunyal. Tube of 81mm mortar on floor of carrier. " L/Cpl Jef Marsh resting, March 1988 "

In the period 5-20 March 1988, ‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles participated in an exercise conducted at Puckapunyal by 4th Infantry Brigade (Reserve) codenamed ‘Fiery Cauldron’. Other units participating included 5th/6th Battalion and 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment, 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment and 1st Armoured Regiment. The training focussed on armoured/infantry cooperation, in particular the use of armoured personnel carriers. Black and white photograph of four infantry soldiers resting prior to mounting Armoured personnel Carriers in background during Exercise " Fiery Cauldron " Puckapunyal 5 - 20 March 1988.

Colour photograph of two soldiers of A Squadron 8/13 VMR during Exercise ' Northern Explorer ' Trooper Pratt and Lance Corporal Van De Velde demonstrate how the F2 Radio set could be carried. In addition the men would have webbing, pack and rifle to carry.

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of three soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR using a whip antenna to establish communication with their base while on patrol during exercise ' Northern Explorer.'

A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles conducted an annual range day at Puckapunyal at which soldiers undertook instruction leading to qualification in a range of weapons including M26 Grenade, 84mm Carl Gustav Medium Antitank Weapon (MAW) and both .30 calibre and .50 calibre machine guns.Two colour photographs of soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles inspecting the effects of shooting on targets on Puckapunyal Range. The holes are the result of hollow charge ammunition which successfully penetrated the heavy armour of tank turrets.

A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles conducted an annual range day at Puckapunyal at which soldiers undertook instruction leading to qualification in a range of weapons including M26 Grenade, 84mm Carl Gustav Medium Antitank Weapon (MAW) and both .30 calibre and .50 calibre machine guns.Colour photograph of three soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles preparing for firing the 84 mm Carl Gustav Medium Anti- tank Weapon at Puckapunyal.

‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles conducted an annual range day at Puckapunyal at which soldiers undertook instruction leading to qualification in a range of weapons including M26 Grenade, 84mm Carl Gustav Medium Antitank Weapon (MAW) and both .30 calibre and .50 calibre machine guns.Colour photograph of Sergeant G Wynd, 'A' Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles, preparing to fire the 84mm Carl Gustav Medium Antitank Weapon during training at Puckapunyal.

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of Lance Corporal R. Van. De Velde picking native figs on bank of Ferguson River, Northern Territory during Exercise "Northern Explorer." Soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR had received instruction of bush food by Major Les Hiddens aka ' The Bush Tucker Man. '100 mm x 100 mm

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Colour photograph of two soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR during Exercise ' Northern Explorer '. Trooper Pratt and Lance Corporal Van De Valde demonstrate how the F2 radio set could be carried. In addition the men would have webbing, pack and rifle to carry.

The first British designed and made Centurion tanks arrived in Australia in June 1952. The first tanks went to the 1st Armoured Regiment, but as more tanks became available armoured regiments of the Citizen Military Forces received replacements for their aging General Grant tanks. The Centurion was a great improvement on the Grant with a bigger gun and the ability to fire accurately while moving. Serving soldiers of regiments such as 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles were converted to the new tank and National Servicemen received full-time training while at Puckapunyal. In February 1968, C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment, equipped with Centurion tanks was sent to Vietnam. This tank No 169073 was one of the twenty tanks which served in Vietnam. There were many doubters about the likely usefulness of the Centurion in the jungle and paddy field environment of South Vietnam. How would this very large tank perform? No one needed to have worried. The tanks performed magnificently and were treasured by the infantry with whom they operated. ‘Tanks save lives’ was the catchcry. Several Reserve officers were attached to the Squadron in Vietnam including Colonel John Neale and Major Gordon Cole. Following the Australian withdrawal, the tanks were refurbished and issued to Army Reserve regiments for training. Our tank was allocated to 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. Together with the tanks came a crop of Regular Army Cadre staff and training reached a new peak. When the Centurion was superseded by the Leopard surplus vehicles were allocated to museums and regimental collections as trophy vehicles. Black and white photograph of Centurion Tank No. 169073 at Buna Barracks, Albury, home of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles 1988.centurion, tank, buna barracks, albury, vmr

‘A’ Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles conducted a parade at Buna Barracks, Albury on Sunday 1 May 1988 to mark the 103rd Anniversary of the formation of the Victorian Mounted Rifles and the 40th Anniversary of the linking of the 8th (Indi), 13th (Gippsland) and 20th (Victorian Mounted Rifles) Light Horse Regiments to form the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. Colonel G K Howard, Director of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps was the Reviewing Officer. The Pipes and Drums of the 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment provided the music for the occasion. Following the parade Colonel Howard officially opened the Regimental Museum.Colour photograph of soldier on parade ground holding lance with red and white pennant. He is Sergeant Perkins posted as Right Guide for the parade.perkins, vmr, anniversary, buna barracks

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Rare example of a patrol report conducted by soldiers of a Victorian Army Reserve regiment while exercising in Northern Territory.Report of reconnaissance patrol conducted by soldiers of 'A' Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles during Exercise 'Northern Explorer, Northern Territory. 13 pages plus sketch map.

In 1988, as part of a Defence of Mainland Australian policy, defence of facilities of strategic importance in northern Australia were allocated to Army Reserve units. ‘A’ Squadron was allocated the defence of Tindal Air Force base located 15 KM outside Katherine in Northern Territory. Consequently the Squadron deployed on Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ to gain first-hand knowledge of operating conditions for mounted and dismounted patrolling in the area.Rare patrol report made by soldiers of a Victorian regiment while on exercise in Northern Territory.Report of patrol carried out by soldiers of 'A' Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles 18 September 1988 near Tindal Air Base Northern Territory. Six pages plus sketch map.military, patrol, tindal, northern territory, vmr

In 1985, the portion of Puckapunyal Army Camp housing the Armoured School and Corps Museum underwent a major rebuild. The new facility named Hopkins Barracks was officially opened by HRH Prince Charles on 31 October 1985. Prince Charles, who was accompanied by his wife HRH Princess Diana, is Colonel in Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC). The Barracks is named to honour Major General R N L Hopkins who was instrumental in the development of the RAAC and is affectionally known as the ‘father of the Corps’.Part of collection of photographs of a rare event on the Australian military calendar, the opening of Hopkins Barracks Puckapunyal by HRH Prince Charles, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) on 31 October 1985 Colour photograph showing HRH Prince Charles inspecting the troops drawn up on parade. He is speaking to a soldier in the front rank wearing a bandolier signifying he is the " Left Guide. "

This trophy awarded annually for best troop was presented by former Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Alan Cunningham. 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.Black and white photograph of 23 soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles being the winning troop in the Cunningham Shield Competition for the best troop for 1986. Troop leader is Lieutenant Bill Russell." Cunningham Shield Winners 1986 " Back Row: Tpr Cox, Cpl Kuschel, Tpr Pye, Tpr Melton, Tpr Middleton, Tpr O' Leary, L/ Cpl Van de Veld, Tpr Bowen M Row : Tpr Warberton, L/Cpl Mozzocato, Tpr Dowling, Tpr hale, Tpr Blucher, Tpr Cameron, Tpr Peck, Tpr Logg, Tpr Fabrik. Front Row : Tpr Pratt, Tpr Rose, Sgt Pike, Lt Russell, Cpl Burvill, Tpr Harding. "military, vmr, trophy, cunningham, russell