A black and white photograph of a 104 Battery, Royal Australian Artillery Gunner , rams a shell home while the gun is readied for firing at Fire Support Base "Betty".. The battery was in action against NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to breach the US supply depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa Province during the Tet Offensive 1969photograph, 104 battery, nva/vc, fire base betty, raa, nva/vc, long binh, bien hoa province, tet offensive, 1969, gibbons collection catalogue, gunner

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of 104 Battery Gunners at 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Fire Support Base 'Betty' enjoying a fresh shower supplied by 1st Australian Task Force Mobile Shower Unit. The showers allowed eight diggers at a time to enjoy the fresh water brought in from Nui Dat. (Circa March 1970).photograph, 104 battery, fire base betty, 1st atf base, mobile shower unit, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, gunners, 4 rar/nz (anzac)

A coloured photograph of a US Army CH47 Chinook medium helicopter carries ammunition and supplies to A Battery 2/35th US Artillery, attached to the Australian Artillery Regiment, at an Australian Fire Support Base. The Battery was operating north west of the 1 ATF Base, Ben Hoa province during the 1969 Tet Offensive. The battery was supporting 4 RAR/NZphotograph, chinook, 2/35th us artillery, tet offensive, 1969, 1 atf base, australian artillery regiment, 4 rar nz, gibbons collection catalogue

A black and white photograph of Gnr Jim Dunn, watched by Stg Pete Tilbrook, of 104 Battery RAA,carries a 105mm shell to the gun at Fire Support Base Betty. The battery was in action against NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to breach the US Army Supply Depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa Province during the 1969 Tet Offensivephotograph, sgt peter tilbrook, gnr jim dunn, 104 battery raa, long binh, bien hoa province, fire base betty, tet offensive, 1969, gibbons collection catalogue

A black and white photograph of a 104 Battery, Royal Australian Artillery Gunner turns his head and shields his ear as he fires the gun at Fire support Base "Betty". The battery was in action against NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to breach the US Army Supply Depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa Province during the Tet Offensive 1969photograph, artillery, 104 battery, raa, nva/vc, fire base betty, long binh, bien hoa province, gibbons collection catalogue

Letter written by 8RAR soldier in Vietnam to "Dear De" outlining events about an incident with the detonation of a mine, number killed and injured. The writer states he was not involved in the incident as he was serving at the fire support base, not the battle front.Two paged letter on Aust. Forces Vietnam paper dated Sunday 1st March. "Dear De". Blue ink writing on headed paper. Envelope has a red and blue striped border. Air Mail. Vietnam map. Aust. Forces Vietnam underneath.Australian Force Vietnam Coat of arms header/ Blue ink/ 8RAR/ Air Mailletter, wayne maschette, aust. force vietnam, sig pl, suppt co, 8rar

A black and white photograph of Gnr John Lyall with his opposite partners enjoy a game of euchre. The 104 Battery Gunners kept themselves busy in the 105mm gun position, in a state of readiness, to react to the call for supporting Artillery fire from Infantry Units. during a lull in action at 4 RAR/NZ Fire Support Base Betty during Tet Offensive 1969photograph, 104 battery raa, 4 rar nz, tet offensive, 1969, gnr john lyall, gibbons collection catalogue, long bien

A black and white photograph of Gnrs Jim Dunn and Leo Adams with their opposite partners enjoy a game of euchre Gnr Kim Robinson tries 'Patience'. Opposite Sgt Pete Tilbrook is engagedin making model airplanes ashtrays from empty sell casingd. The 104 Battery Gunners kept themselves busy in the 105mm gun position during a lull in action at 4 RAR/NZ Fire Support Base Bettyphotograph, artillery, 104 battery, raa, 4 rar nz, fire base betty, gnr jim dunn, gnr leo adams, gnr kim robinson, sgt peter tilbrook, gibbons collection catalogue, gunner

A black and white photograph of 104 Battery RAA, Gnr Leo Adams, adjust the sight of the 105mm gun while Sgt Peter Tilbrook contemplates the fire mission at Fire Support Base "Betty" . the Batter was supporting 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battallion. The battery was in action against NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to attack the giant US supply depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa Province during the Tet Offensive 1969photograph, 104 battery raa, gnr leo adams, sgt peter tilbrook, fire base betty, 4 rar nz, long binh, bien hoa province, tet offensive, 1969, gibbons collection catalogue

25th anniversary FSB TownsvilleBimba Bia 33 This beer has been specially produced to commerate the 25th Anniversary of the withdrawal of Australian forces from Vietnam and to celebrate the national Reunion of Vietnam Veterans from 16th to 24th August 1997 in Townsville and will be known as "FIRE SUPPORT BASE - TOWNSVILLE". This beer is exclusively available from the Townsville RSL Club, a Gold sponsor of the Reunionbeer stubby, 25th anniversary, national reunion of vietnam veterans

The M18A1 'Claymore' Directional Fragmentation Mine which is used as part of the perimeter defences at, for example Fire Support Base or for use in ambush situations. The convex side is faced toward the enemy and the mine is configured to be electrically detonated from a remote location, (these mines can be connected by white "det cord" & detonators from the detonator wells show to link a series of mines)). It is raised off the ground by a small stand to maximise the blast radius. Claymore mines contain 700 steel ball bearings impressed into 650 grams of plastic explosive. The M18A1 has a lethal range of up to 100 metresA replica of the M18A1 'Claymore' Directional Fragmentation Mine. The convex side is faced toward the enemy and the mine is configured to be electrically detonated from a remote location. In practice this mine type is raised above the ground slightly by a small legs designed to maximise the blast radius. These mines contain approximately 700 small steel ball bearings impressed into 650 grams of plastic explosive. The M18A1 has a lethal range of up to 100 metresOn the front"Front Toward Enemy" on the reverse "Back M18A1 Apers Mine"

This rocket launcher has fittings to mount it onto a lifeboat or similar vessel. Once mounted, a it would be fitted with a line-throwing rocket that would be launched from the vessel and aimed over the shipwreck. The line would be fixed to the ship in distress. A heavier line would then be sent out to the wrecked vessel and survivors would be hauled to safety. Its design suggests that it dates to the First World War ear of the 1910s. The coastline of South West Victoria is the site of over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. Victoria’s Government responded to the need for lifesaving equipment and, in 1858, the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for the lifeboat stations. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built for it on the Tramway Jetty, followed by a rocket house in 1864 to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater (constructed from 1874-1890), and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifesaving and rescue crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to rehearse and maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. In July 1873 a brass bell was erected at Flagstaff Hill specifically to call the rescue crew upon news of a shipwreck. Some crew members became local heroes but all served an important role. Rocket apparatus was used as recently as the 1950s. This item is significant for its connection with maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed coastal Victoria, including Warrnambool, in its very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised.Rocket launcher, lifesaving equipment, attaches to rail on vessel. Schermuly's Patent, Grey metal, L shaped pipe with large clamp on one end and small, hooked U shaped fitting on the other. Connects to half-cylinder sleeve with gimbal fitting, ball joint and adjusting fittings; painted grey and red. "SCHERMULY'S PATENT" cast into clamp.Cast into metal "SCHERMULY'S PATENT" flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, rocket launcher, rocket apparatus, rocket firing equipment, lifesaving equipment, wwi, world war i, 1210s, schermuly’s patent, schermuly launcher, sea rescue, lifesaving, shipwreck, life-saving, rescue crew, rocket rescue, rocket crew, line rescue, maritime activities, marine technology, volunteer crew, boat to ship rescue, william schermuly,

A black and white photograph of 104 Battery RAA Gunner Sgt Peter Tilbrook at one of his spare time occupations, making model airplane ashtrays from empty shells cases at Fire Base "Betty" during the 1969 Tet Offensive. The Battery was supporting 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion.photograph, 104 battery raa, tet offensive, 1969, 4 rar nz, sgt peter tilbrook, fire base betty, gibbons collection catalogue

A black and white photograph of - As one Gunner of 104 Battery RAA at Fire Base Betty places a 105mm round in his gun his fellow Gunners check the gun sight and make other adjustments prior to firing, in support of 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) infantry elements in contact with the NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to attack the giant US supply depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa province during the Tet Offensivephotograph, artillery, 104 battery raa, 4rar nz, nva/vc, long bien, tet offensive, gibbons collection catalogue, fire base betty, gunner, 105mm artillery

A black and white photograph of - As one Gunner of 104 Battery RAA at Fire Base Betty flicks a 105mm round casing behind him another adjusts the gunsight while a fellow gunner looks on. The battery was firing in support of 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Infantry in contact with the NVA/VietCong sappers attempting to attack the giant US supply depot at Long Binh in Bien Hoa Province during the Tet Offensivephotograph, artillery, 104 battery raa, long bien, 4rar nz, nva/vc, tet offensive, gibbons collection catalogue, gunner, fire base betty, 105mm artillery

A coloured photograph of Gunners of the 103 Battery 1st Field Reiment, Royal Australian Artillery, operating from their base at 1st ATF, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, fire in support of 5 RAR and 6 RAR infantry elements operating against the NVA/VietCong local forces (circa May 1967)photograph, artillery, 103 battery, 105mm howitzer, 1st atf base, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, gunner, phuoc tuy province, 5 rar, 6 rar, 1st field regt

A black and white photograph of the 1st Australian Task Force Commander Brig C.M "Sandy" Pearson meets with the Admiral commanding the United States 7th Fleet upon his arrival at 1ATF. The Admiral and his staff had called on Brig Pearson to discuss naval gunfire support for Australian troops whilst on operations as there had been some problems with the Americans understanding the Australian forward, artillery, observers redio transmissions when calling for fire supportphotograph, 1st atf base, brig sandy pearson, us 7th fleet, gibbons collection catalogue, troops, fire support

A black and white photograph of Phuoc Tuy Province South Vietnam, July 1966, Diggers at 103 Battery, load a 105mm Italian Pack Howitzer during a fire mission from the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam103 battery, artillery, 105mm howitzer, 1st atf base, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, phuoc tuy province, fire support

A black and white photograph of the crew of a New Zealand mortar, mounted inside an Australian Australian Personnel Carrier, cover their ears against the blast sound, as they fire in support of ANZAC infantry operating in Phuoc Tuy Provincephotograph, 1st atf base, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, 4 rar nz, mortars, apc, gibbons collection catalogue

M113 family of Armoured vehiclesentered service with Australian Army circa 1955.Technical manuals and User Handbooks were essential equipment for Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) tradesmen permanently attached to Armoured Corps regiments as Light Aid Detachments (LAD) or AFV Workshops and were responsible for repairs and maintenance of a nature beyond the expertise of AFV crewmen and just short of major rebuilds undertaken by Base Workshop detachments.Research and historical display value, 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.Green vinyl covered manual 54 pages, bound with metal screws being technical Manual User Handbook Carrier Fire Support, Full Tracked M113A1 ( FS }. Published by Australian Army 17 December 1970Ink stamp on title page " 8/13 VMR Regimental Collection "

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of a digger at 103 Battery Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, July 1966. He fires a 105mm Italian Pack Howitzer during a fire mission from the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam.photograph, artillery, 103 battery, phuoc tuy province, 105mm howitzer, 1st atf base, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, digger

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, July 1966. Diggers at 103 Battery load a 105mm Italian Pack Howitzer during a fire mission from the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam.photograph, artillery, phuoc tuy province, nui dat, 103 battery, 105mm howitzer, 1st atf base, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, diggers

This is a set of seven photographs of surveyors and support staff in the field undertaking duties in North Queensland in 1958. The surveyors were employed in the establishment of mapping and geodetic control. In this era surveyors used theodolites to observe horizontal and vertical angles and chains to measure base line distances between survey stations. Bob Skitch shown in photos .4P to .6P was in the 2nd year of his career in the Australian Army. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and his last appointment was the CO of the Army Survey Regiment from 1976 to 1980. The annotation on the back of photo .5P ‘Black foreground is where Bob Skitch boiled billy and started a grass fire’.This is a set of seven photographs of surveyors and support staff in the field undertaking duties in North Queensland in 1958. The photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 300 dpi. .1) - Photo, colour, 1958. Surveyor in Nth QLD enjoying a bath. L to R: Don Cocker, Bob Thompson. .2) - Photo, colour, 1958. Don Cocker surveyor in Nth QLD, enjoying a bath. .3) - Photo, colour, 1958. Surveyors Nth QLD undertaking survey observations, using MRA1 tellurometer to measure base-line distances. L to R: Len Davies, Lou Sommer, John Van De Graff. MRA1 was covered to stop overheating. .4) - Photo, colour, 1958. Surveyors south of Richmond, QLD digging holes for the erection of a Bilby observation tower. L to R: John Van De Graff, Bob Skitch, Kev Moody, Mal Hayes, Don Gray .5) - Photo, colour, 1958. Surveyors south of Richmond, QLD erecting a Bilby observation tower. L to R: Tom Royle, Bob Skitch (on ground level), Mal Hayes. .6) - Photo, colour, 1958. Surveyors south of Richmond, QLD erecting a Bilby observation tower. L to R: Tom Royle, Bob Skitch, Mal Hayes, Jim McGill (on ground level). .7) - Photo, colour, 1958. Surveyors south of Richmond, QLD undertaking survey measurements from a Bilby observation tower..1P to .7P annotated on back – personnel names, the year and the location. Annotated on back of .5P ‘Black foreground is where Bob Skitch boiled billy and started a grass fire’.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, asr, army svy regt, fortuna, surveying