Four men who served as National Servicemen in differing eras of Australian military history : 1929, 1939, 1957, & 1968national service, military, wwii, world war two, vietnam

The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was raised in June 1941 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W G Hopkins with officers and men selected from the wider AIF in Victoria. The regiment trained in newly arrived M3 General Grant tanks at Puckapunyal before moving north to Singleton, then the Wee Waa plains. The regiment sailed for New Guinea in April 1943 and carried out mobile defence to airfields at Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Dobadura and Popondetta. The regiment returned to Australia in February 1944 and disbanded as an armoured regiment and retrained as Nos 41, 42 and 43 Landing Craft Companies. They returned to the South West pacific serving at Bougainville, Balikpapan, Lae and Wewak.Black and white proof photograph of 2/8 Armoured Regiment marching through Melbourne 17 October 1941military, melbourne, march, armoured, world war two, wwii, uniform

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.Black and white photograph of a section of 13 Light Horse in France.military, wwi, world war one, light horse, france, cavalry

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

Khaki drill was standard working uniform for tank crewmen of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. Khaki drill was replaced by black tanksuit in 1959. 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.Mannequin dressed in khaki drill jacket and trousers with basic web equipment and pistol pouch, black beret with silver rising sun badge. uniform, tank, military, vmr, cmf

This form of winter dress for the Australian Army replaced the WWII style tunic c.1952. The silver regimental badge replaced the silver Rising Sun on the black beret in 1955.Mannequin dressed in battle dress uniform with boots, belt and beret. Hat badge is 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.military, uniform, armour

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

Howard green jumper/pullover was issued to Australian Army to replace khaki V-necked pullover c.1980. It was a popular item of clothing for field wear and when coupled with a corps or regimental stable belt constituted smart barracks wear. Went out of service c.1994.Half mannequin dressed in Howard Green Jumper and 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles stable belt.military, pullover, jumper, howard green, uniform, belt, stable

Lieutenant Des Martin was a member of the Wodonga Troop of the pre-WWII 8th Light Horse (Indi) regiment. He volunteered for the AIF, 12/6/1940 (VX31564) and served with the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion in Syria and New Guinea. He was discharged 11/2/1944 with the rank of lieutenant. He was a horseman of considerable repute and was the author of the book “Australia Astride”. He provided valuable assistance to the 8/13 VMR Heritage Troop when it was raised. Wearing this uniform, he rode with a group of former light horsemen leading ANZAC Day marches in Melbourne for many years.Half mannequin dress in service dress tunic with 8th Light Horse lapel badges, silver buttons, badges of rank and colour patches. Complemented with slouch hat with 8th Light Horse hat badge and emu plumes, and Sam Browne belt.military, anzac day, melbourne, martin, pioneer, vmr, light horse, world war two, wwii

Artist unknown. The badge was modelled on that of the 20th Light Horse Regiment and replaced the silver Rising Sun hat badge in 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.Framed artwork being embroidered Victorian Mounted Rifles badge in four colours.artwork, badge, vmr, military

All three men had a long association with 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. John Neale served in RAN during WWII; post war he joined 8/13 VMR as a trooper in 1948. He rose through the ranks to command the regiment in 1972-76, and later became Honorary Colonel. Ron Almond served in WWII; following the war he joined the Regular Army and served several postings to the Cadre Staff of 8/13 VMR including a post as Regimentla Sergeant Major. He also served with the Australian Army Training Team in South Vietnam. Bill Woolford served in the Royal Marines in WWII; post war he migrated to Australia joining the Victoria Police and was posted to Wodonga. He joined 8/13 VMR and served as Squadron Sergeant Major 'A' Squadron.Colour photograph of Colonel John Neale and former 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles soldiers Ron Almond and Bill Woolford at Buna Barracks 29 April 1990neale, almond, woolford, vmr, albury, aattv, buna barracks

Colonel R Kershaw, Director of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) was the Reviewing Officer at parade to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the raising of Victorian Mounted RiflesColour photograph of 'A' Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles offering a General Salute to Reviewing Officer at Buna Barracks 29 April 1990.military, vmr, buna barracks, albury, anniversary, kershaw

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.Colour photograph of Sergeant R. Wells of Technical Support Troop VMR Squadron 4/19 Prince of Wales Light Horse talking to Lieutenant ColoneL Alan Cunningham former Commanding Officer of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles at Dinner 25 May 1991.dinner, wells, vmr, 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.Colour photograph of Warrant Officer McDonald, RSM Royal Australian Armoured Corps, and former Staff Sergeant M. Miles 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles at Dinner 25 May 1991.dinner, miles, vmr, military

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.Colour photograph of chief steward, Corporal Tewson, inspecting table arrangement for a formal dinner at Buna Barracks 25th May 1991dinner, tewson, vmr, buna barracks, military

Sergeant Cook Muller had WWii service in the German Navy.Post- War he migrated to Australia 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.Colour photograph of Sergeant Cooks Kurt Muller and Jim Robertson cooking for Formal Dinner at Buna Barracks 25 May 1991. Both were members of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.vmr, cook, muller, robinson, military

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.Colour photograph of Major J.Gay and Captain L. Jackel of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles at Formal Dinner at Buna Barracks 25 May 1991.dinner, jackel, gay, vmr

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.Colour photograph of Majors John Baines, Ian Docking and Gordon Cole all of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles at Dinner at Buna Barracks 25 May 1991cole, baines, dinner, docking, vmr

Lou Madjeric had WW11 service in German Navy, Bill Woolford in British Royal Marines. Postwar they both migrated to Australia and joined 8/13 VMR. Alan Williams began his long service with 8/13 VMR as a cadet in 1948.Colour photograph of Lou Madjeric, Bill Woolford and Allan Williams all former 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles soldiers at Buna Barracks 25 May 1991.dinner, vmr, madjeric, woolford, williams

Warrant Officer 2 W. Woolford served with Royal Marines in W W11. He migrated to Australia after the War and joined 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.Silver cup trophy on Bakelite base, with engraving on side and small plate on base.8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Albury Pistol Championship 1951 WOII W Woolfordwoolford, pistol, shootng, vmr

Albury - Wodonga Branch of MHSA hosted the biannual Conference of the Society, June 1992.Black and white photograph of Sir Anthony Synnot at Victorian Mounter Rifles Museum Albury during Military Historical Society of Australia ( MHSA ) Conference June 1992.history, military, vmr, synnot, navy

This slouch hat was worn at the 75th Anniversary of Beersheba parade at the Australian War Memorial, 31 October 1992. VMR Squadron 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse provided the Honour Guard under the command of Captain Kelvin Robertson. It was the first occasion on which slouch hats and plumes were worn by the regiment. In 1992, all Corps in the Australian Army were ordered to wear slouch hats. This was a reaction to the high incidence of skin cancer in soldiers. Berets were thought to offer inadequate sun protection. Slouch hats were not practical in AFVs. Not all crewmen had access to helmets, so berets continued to be worn in vehicles. Slouch hats were worn for parade ground and general barracks work. RAAC acknowledged its Light Horse ancestry by wearing the emu plumes. Life continued in this way till 2010 when the wearing of berets was banned. Special Forces were exempt because it was argued they had a special relationship with the beret. Armoured Corps was outraged. Their relationship with the ‘black hat’ went back nearly a century. Submissions and argument ensued until the current workable arrangement was reached where a CO can authorize the wearing of berets but recognising that the slouch hat is the formal Australian Army head dress. Slouch hat with emu plumes and silver Victorian Mounted Rifles badge over and red backing on turned up side.military, hat, plumes, vmr, robertson

The Hutton Trophy or Shield was awarded annually to the best Light Horse Troop in Australia. The trophy is now held at the Armoured Centre Puckapunyal. Inter-regimental competition was strong in the years between WWI and WWII. Annually, the best troop in the regiments of the 3rd (Vic), 4th (SA), 5th (WA) and 6th (Tas) Military Districts competed for the Hutton Trophy and the Lord Forster Cup. The Tocumwal Troop were winners of the Hutton Shield in 1937 and 1938. 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 the Regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon its return in April 1945, the Regiment was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion. It was disbanded following the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII.Framed black and white photograph of Tocumwal Troop 20th Light horse with the Hutton Shield and other trophies.No 1 Troop C Squadron 20th Light Horse Regt (Tocumwal Troop) ...tocumwal, 20th, light horse, competition, hutton

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."

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. Unbound Technical manual 62 pages, without covers, single metal staple in top left corner being User Handbook Truck Wrecker 5 ton GS Medium Recovery F5 with Twin Boom Hoist. Published by Australian Army 16 June 71" 118 " on bottom right corner title page.

Relates to Chevrolet Armoured made in USA during WW11.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 Tech Support Troop (TST) 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 vehicleBuff coloured soft cover manual being Technical Manual Ordnance Maintenance Transmission, Transfer Case, and Steering Systems for Medium Armoured Car T17E1. Published by War Department ( USA ) 7 October 1943.Heavy ink stamp on cover " Archive Copy Location " then follows in pen " 3/A/1". In red ink top right corner " T10 { or} T16"

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. "