The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war, 1945. 20th Light horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII. This is one of a collection of mugs presented by officers of a Light Horse regiment drawn from rural and regional Victoria in the period between the World Wars.Silver plated mug with handle and inscribed on side.20th Australian Light Horse Officers' Mess. Presented by Lieutenant J.S. Christiechristie, mess, 20th, light horse

A puggaree, usually of pleated cloth, has been worn on the Australian slouch hat since it was adopted in 1903. During WWI (1914-1918) it was frequently a plain woollen band made from puttee material. Different coloured bands denoting Corps were incorporated into the puggaree worn by militia units shortly before WWI and again in the period between the wars. The word puggaree comes from Hindi meaning turban and is thought to have referred to a piece of cloth worn on the British officer’s sun helmet to protect his neck from the sun.Good example of distinctive headwear worn by light horse soldiers.Seven fold puggaree with white band denoting Light Horse of the pre WWI (1914-1918) period and possible for a time following the war until superseded by the red band.puggaree, headwear, light horse, uniform

A puggaree, usually of pleated cloth, has been worn on the Australian slouch hat since it was adopted in 1903. During WWI (1914-1918) it was frequently a plain woollen band often made from puttee material. Different coloured bands denoting Corps were incorporated into the puggaree worn by militia units shortly before WWI and again in the period between the wars. The word puggaree comes from Hindi meaning turban and is thought to have referred to a piece of cloth worn on the British officer’s sun helmet to protect his neck from the sun.Good example of distinctive headwear worn by light horse or veterinary corps soldiers.Seven fold puggaree with deep maroon band denoting Light Horse or Veterinary Corps in the period between the wars.puggaree, uniform, light horse, headwear

A puggaree, usually of pleated cloth, has been worn on the Australian slouch hat since it was adopted in 1903. During WWI (1914-1918) it was frequently a plain woollen band often made from puttee material. Different coloured bands denoting Corps were incorporated into the puggaree worn by militia units shortly before WWI and again in the period between the wars. The word puggaree comes from Hindi meaning turban and is thought to have referred to a piece of cloth worn on the British officer’s sun helmet to protect his neck from the sun.Good example of distinctive headwear worn by light horse soldiers.Seven fold puggaree with red band denoting Light Horse of the period between the wars.puggaree, uniform, headwear, light horse

The 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as a regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps on 1 May 1948. It was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse in 1991 forming the VMR Squadron of the regiment. Captain Kel Robertson commanded the guard. It was the first occasion at which the squadron wore slouch hats in lieu of berets.Good photograph of Army Reserve unit on parade on a significant day for Australian Light Horse.Framed coloured photograph of gaurd drawn from Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse drawn up at the Beersheba Day parade at the Australian War Memorial 31 October 1992.On plaque at bottom centre of frame: "VMR Sqn Beersheba Pde 31 October 92. Presented to Maygar Club Albury by Cpl AH Collins Dec 92"vmr squadron, 4th/19th prince of wales's light horse, beersheba, parade, slouch hat

The 16th Light Horse Regiment was a Citizen Military Force unit located in North East Victoria with its Headquarters at Benalla. The regiment came into existence as part of a reorganisation of Australian Military Forces in 1912 replacing earlier Victorian Mounted Rifles units, and was in turn redesignated 8th Light Horse (Indi) Regiment in 1919.A rare bank book detailing how a CMF regiment conducted its financial affairs in the pre-World War 1 (1914-1918) period.Black clothboard covered bank book issued by the National Bank of Australasia Limited, Benalla Branch for the account of the 16th Light Horse Public Monies Account. The book was in use from December 1912 to March 1919.16th light horse, national bank of australasia, military, bank account, cmf

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war, 1945. 20th Light horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII. This is one of a collection of mugs presented by Officers of a Light Horse Regiment drawn from rural and regional Victoria in the period between the World Wars.Silver plated mug with handle and inscribed on side" 20th Australian Light Horse Officers Mess. Presented by Lieutenant S.W. Ross" and on base "Rigert EPNS A1 " 10 "ross, 20th, light horse, mess

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war, 1945. 20th Light horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII. This is one of a collection of mugs presented bt Officers of a Light Horse regiment drawn from rural and regional Victoria in the period between the World Wars.Silver plated mug with handle and inscribed on side" 20th Australian light Horse Officer's Mess. Presented by Lieut A.W. Tanner 1936" and on base " Rigert EPNSAI 10 "20th, light horse, tanner, mess

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war, 1945. 20th Light horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII. This is one of a collection of mugs presented by officers of a Light Horse regiment drawn from rural and regionalVictoria in the period between the World Wars.Silver plated mug with handle and inscribed on side."20th Australian Light Horse Officer's Mess. Presented by Lieut N. I. Morrison" and on base "Rigert EPNSAI 10" 20th light horse, officers' mess, morrison n i lieutenant

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war, 1945. 20th Light horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII. This is one of a collection of mugs presented by Officers of a Light Horse regiment drawn from rural and regional Victoria in the period between the World WarsSilver plated mug with handle and inscribed on side"20th Australian Light HorseOfficer's Mess. Presented by Lieutenant G.A. Bryant", and on base "Rigert EPNSAI 10"bryant, mess, 20th, light horse

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war, 1945. 20th Light horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII. .This is one of a collection of mugs presented by officers of a Light Horse regiment drawn from rural and regional Victoria in the period between the World Wars.Silver plated mug with handle and inscribed on side."20th Australian Light Horse Officer's Mess. Presented by Lieutenant G. McC. Fairley"; and on base "Rigert EPNSAI 10"20th light horse, fairley g mcc lieutenant, officers' mess

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war, 1945. 20th Light horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII. Object with rare historical significance to both date and unit serving overseas.Australian blue ensign flown by 20th Motor Regiment ( Victorian Mounted Rifles ) at Merauke on cessation of hostilities 15th August 1945flag, 20th light horse, 20th motor regiment, merauke dutch new guinea

Warrant Officer Class One Ron Almond served on the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles cadre staff before being posted as a member of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) in 1969. There he was posted as adviser to 17th Armored Cavalry Squadron. He later returned to 8/13 VMR as Regimental Sergeant Major. The AATTV was a specialist unit of military advisors of the Australian Army that operated during the Vietnam War. Raised in 1962, the unit was formed solely for service as part of Australia's contribution to the war, providing training and assistance to South Vietnamese forces. Initially numbering only approximately 30 men, the size of the unit grew several times over the following years as the Australian commitment to South Vietnam gradually grew, with the unit's strength peaking at 227 in November 1970. Members of the team worked individually or in small groups, operating throughout the country from the far south to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the north. Later they were concentrated in Phước Tuy Province as Australian forces prepared to withdraw from Vietnam. It is believed to be the most decorated Australian unit to serve in Vietnam; its members received over 100 decorations, including four Victoria Crosses, during its existence. The unit was withdrawn from Vietnam on 18 December 1972 and was disbanded in Australia on 16 February 1973. A total of 1,009 men served with the unit over a period of ten years, consisting of 998 Australians and 11 New Zealanders. Representative of a connection between Australian Army Reserve and South Vietnam.Wooden shield with coloured plastic emblem mounted at centre and engraved metal plate below.Presented to / 8/13 VMR OR's Mess / By Ex RSM 8/13 VMR / WO1 Ronald M Almond / 17th Armoured Cavalry Sqn / Advisory team 116 / Republic of Vietnam / May 1969-May 1970military, cadre, aattv, vietnam, cavalry, armour, almond

Helmet of a type worn by soldiers the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, commonly known by Australians as the Vietcong, was an armed communist political organization in South Vietnam and Cambodia. Its military force, the Liberation Army of South Vietnam, fought against the United States and South Vietnamese governments during the Vietnam War, eventually emerging on the winning side. The LASV had both guerrilla and regular army units, as well as a network of cadres who organized peasants in the territory the Việt Cộng controlled. During the war, communist insurgents and anti-war activists insisted the Việt Cộng was an insurgency indigenous to the South, while the U.S. and South Vietnamese governments portrayed the group as a tool of North Vietnam. The helmet usually had a waterproof cover often with camouflage scrim.Representative if the uniform of the guerrilla forces opposing Australian forces in Vietnam.Sun helmet with red star mounted centre front.military, helmet, vietnam, vietnam war, guerrilla

The 13th Light Horse Regiment (AIF) was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in March 1915. Following service at Gallipoli the regiment was broken up with squadrons going to France as Divisional Cavalry Squadrons of 2nd, 4th and 5th Divisions. The regiment was reformed as firstly 1st Anzac Corps Mounted Troops and later Australian Corps Mounted Troops. The regiment was raised as 13th Light Horse (Gippsland), a Citizen Forces unit following WWI, and trained as a cavalry regiment till August 1940, when it converted from horse to mechanised initially as 13th Motor Regiment then 13th Armoured Regiment. It trained in Victoria and, as the Japanese threat to the mainland declined, was disbanded in October 1943 with men going to other units. Good study of pre-WWII light horseman in regional Victoria.Black and white photograph of mounted light horseman with second light horseman standing behind horse. Second horse to side.Pte Valentine Reginald Allison / 13th Gippsland Light Horse / Leongatha Showgrounds / c.1938 / (Grandfather of Cpl S Mather / Tng Sgt, 2001)military, militia, cmf, gippsland, leongatha, allison

In August 1999, East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia. Violent clashes broke out immediately between rival factions. Many civilians were killed. The International Force East Timor (INTERFET) was a multinational non-United Nations peacemaking taskforce, organised and led by Australia in accordance with United Nations resolutions to address the humanitarian and security crisis. Australian infantry and cavalry were part of Australia's contribution. Reservists from 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse transitioned to full time duty to serve with regular cavalry units. INTERFET handed over control to UN peacekeepers in February 2000.Disruptive pattern field uniform worn by soldier of VMR Squadren 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse while on deployment with 2/14 Light Horse (Queensland Mounted Infantry) in East Timor in 2000.military, interfet, timor, vmr, pwlh, qmi, spinelli

Colonel Leslie Coleman was the Honorary Colonel of 8/13 VMR. Colonel Coleman graduated to the RAAC from the Royal Military College in 1939 and transferred to the 2nd AIF in 1941. He was adjutant of the 2/10 Armoured Regiment when the unit was raised in 1941. Later in the war he was attached to British 7 Armoured Division in Western Europe during and shortly after the invasion of Normandy. Lieutenant Colonel John Neale served in the Royal Australian Navy in World War Two. Following the war he returned to Albury and joined the 8/13 VMR in 1948. He rose through the ranks and became the Commanding Officer in 1974. He too was the Honorary Colonel 1990-92. Major Norman Whitehead MC served with the 21 Light Horse prior to World War Two. He joined the AIF and served with 2/6th Armoured Regiment. He was wounded during the capture of Buna New Guinea 1942 and awarded the Military Cross. Following the war he was one of the original officers of the 8/13 VMR when it was raised in 1948. He was squadron Commander of 'A' Squadron. He maintained close contact with the regiment after his retirement and frequently visited annual camp.Black and white photograph of Colonel Coleman, Lieutenant Colonel John Neale and Major Norman Whitehead taken during 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Annual Camp at Puckapunyal 1974.Ink stamp on reverse "Mikainis Photo Studio / 23 Jun 1974 / 61 Goulburn St., Seymour / Telephone 92-2141 Vic"military, world war two, vmr, camp, coleman, neal, whitehead

At Federation, the Victorian Mounted Rifles companies in the Gippsland area of Victoria were reorganised into the 10th Light Horse Regiment. In 1912 the regiment was renumbered 13th Light Horse. The 13th Light Horse Regiment (AIF) was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in March 1915. Following service at Gallipoli the regiment was broken up with squadrons going to France as Divisional Cavalry Squadrons of 2nd, 4th and 5th Divisions. The regiment was reformed as firstly 1st Anzac Corps Mounted Troops and later Australian Corps Mounted Troops. The regiment was re-raised as 13th Light Horse (Gippsland), a Citizen Forces unit. following WWI, and trained as a cavalry regiment till August 1940, when it converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 13th Motor Regiment then 13th Armoured Regiment. It trained in Victoria and, as the Japanese threat to the mainland declined, was disbanded in October 1943 with men going to other units. In 1948, the 13th Light Horse was linked with 8th and 20th Regiments to form the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles in the Citizen Military Forces. Black and white photograph of 13th Light Horse Regiment trophies arranged around the Hutton Trophy shield. light horse, 13th, trophies, hutton, vmr

Vehicles of these types were issued to CMF units following WW11 for transport purposes.Part of a collection of workshop manuals and user handbooks relating to equipment on issue to 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles during the latter half of the twentieth century.Buff coloured soft covered manual 108 pages square bound being Driver's Handbook for a variety of Chevrolet wheeled vehicles ranging from 15cwt 4x2 to Fd Arty Tractor. Published by Australian Army 1945.Ink stamp on title page " 8/13 VMR Regimental Collection."

All field units such as 8/13 VMR had need of methods to store equipment. This document provided a template for storage in tropical conditions.Moderate research valueGreen coloured heavy card covered technical manual, screw bound, adhesive fabric spine being Instructions for the Australian Army Ordnance Services Storage in the Tropics 1966.Ink stamp on title page " 8/13VMR Regimental Collection. "

Battery Quartermaster Sergeant Harold Bauerle served with the Albury Battery in the 1920s and 1030s. Shortly following Federation the military unit in Albury was redesignated No 4 New South Wales Battery Australian Field Artillery (AFA). It was under the command of Major John Wilkinson, an Albury solicitor and comprised about 100 citizen soldiers, 4 guns and about 40 horses. Training centred on the Albury Drill Hall located in Victoria Street. A reorganisation in 1912 resulted in the Battery being named No 17 Battery AFA. When war broke out in 1914 the Battery then under the command of Major Joseph Shellshear, and Albury doctor, offered its services as a trained artillery battery to the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). The Battery cooled its heels and continued to train till July 1915 when a second division was raised in the AIF and trained artillery was needed. When the call came 150 officers and men of the 17th Battery went into the AIF, many to the 13th Battery with Major Shellshear in command and others to other AIF batteries of the 4th and 5th Artillery Brigades. The 13th Battery was adopted immediately by the townsfolk of Albury as the Albury Battery. The Battery served in France and Belgium and was involved in all the major battles fought by the Australians perhaps most notably at Noreuil where the Battery found itself surrounded but continued to fight till eventually the enemy was driven back. Following the war members of the Battery nominated this battle as their most significant achievement and consequently a newly developed recreational reserve on the Murray River foreshore was named Noreuil Park. In 1919 the Battery resumed training as part of the Citizen Military Forces or Militia. Changes of title were frequent, first 27th Battery, then 60th Battery and finally 40th Battery AFA. Battery commanders included Captain Leslie Colquhoun, an Albury real estate agent, Captain Roy Collings, Albury town clerk and Captain Clifton Mott a newspaper editor. The Depression of the early 1930s almost brought about the closure of the Albury Battery but it survived through the intervention of the mayor, Alderman Alfred Waugh, who made direct representation to the Minister for Defence. When the Second World War erupted in 1939, the Battery was at full strength and a rich source of officers and trained men for the second AIF. Militia training of the few remaining officers and Albury adopted the 2/23rd Infantry Battalion which had been raised at the Showground. Following WWII, CMF soldiering recommenced in the form of an armoured regiment, the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. After nearly a half a century of service in war and peace the Albury Battery has faded and exists now in this collection of objects and images. This trophy is representative of community support for a Citizen Military Forces unit drawn from a regional NSW Town in the period between the World Wars.Silver cup with two handles mounted on Bakelite base being the McClure Cup for most efficient NCO in Albury Battery 1935-36 . inscription on side of cup."McClure Cup / for / Most efficient NCO / 1935-36 / won by / BQMS H.C. Bauerle"bauerle h c bqms, albury battery, mcclure cup

Thomas H Fagan of Walbundrie NSW served in 105 General Transport Company during WWII. Following service in Syria and Egypt the unit sailed for home but was diverted to Java, Dutch East Indies where they became part of Blackforce. The Japanese following up their success in Singapore overran Jave and Blackforce went into captivity. Fagan spent a short time at Changi then nearly three years on the Burma Railway. He lost a leg to tropical ulcers but survived the war return to Australia at the end of hostilities.A document worthy of preservation and public access.World War diary typed by the diarist from notes kept at great risk throughout his imprisonment by the Japanese 1942-1945. Transcribed 2018 by Albury historian Jan Hunter and published by Albury & District Historical Society as Booklet No 31 in limited hard copy for district Libraries and Schools.diary, prisoner of war, burma, railway, changi

Us manufactured Browning machine guns were introduced to Australian Army in 1950s.The. 30 calibre replaced 7.92 mm Besa in Centurion tanks equipping 8/13 VMR in 1957. The. 50 calibre was mounted on some M113 carriers as Commanders MG. Representative of Training booklets issued to CMF units in the 1960sLightbrown covered booklet Browning Machine Gun Caliber .50HB, M2. Department of the Army Field Manual FM 23 - 65. December 1955

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 Brigadier H.H. Hammer, Commander 2nd Armoured Brigade and Staff - Sargeant R.J. Roberts, Orderly Room Sergeant of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.Comd 2 Armd Bde, Brig H.H. Hammer, pinning British Empire medal on S/Sgt R. J. Roberts, Earlsfield Road, Hampton, O/Room Sgt of 8/13thVictorian Mounted Rifles at Puckapunyal Camp during 14 day camp of Regiment in January. S/Sgt Roberts saw service in M.E., England, and South Africa with Australia Mil Liaison Staff. S/Sgt Roberts was a member of champion Victorian debating team, and trained Regt team to highest standard yet attained in services.Gave up great deal of own time in this work, and also re-organizing orderly rooms of units in country areas. Is a member of ARA.

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.'

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.Lance Corporal R. Van De Velde, ' A ' Squadron 8/13 VMR during Exercise ' Northern Explorer' September 1988. LCpl Van De Velde has a collection of Pandamus Palm nut prematurely ripened by fire near King River Northern Territory.

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 jaggered basalt rock covering most of high country SSW of Tindal RAAF Base, Northern Territory. Photo was taken to illustrate reports of patrols during Exercise " Northern Explorer" September 1988.

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.Two colour photographs of sink holes/rock depressions cbserved while on patrol during Exercise " Northern Explorer. These features offered the only shade when temperature was 41oC.