Two decades ago, Australians were at war in Vietnam. By the time the engagement had ended, 47,000 Australians had participated in the most controversial military involvement in Australia's recent history vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives , australian, australia - politics and government - 1945 -

A war correspondent's compelling account of a crucial battle in the Vietnam Warsiege of khe sanh, general westmoreland, president lyndon johnson, dien bien phu, tet offensive

The war that has raged in and around Vietnam - with no end in sight - is one of the crucial conflicts of our time. vietnam war, 1961-1975 - campaigns

Two decades ago, Australians were at war in Vietnam. By the time the engagement had ended, 47,000 Australians had participated in the most controversial military involvement in Australia's recent historyvietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives , australian, australia - politics and government - 1945 -

It ended a generation ago and is still with us. this superb reference work provides understanding and perspective on one of the greatest crises in U.S. history, and covers every conceivable aspect.vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975 encyclopedias

Kenny was barely nineteen years old, a wide-eyed Aboriginal kid from the bush, when he left Australia for a tour of duty in Vietnam. From the fleshpots of Saigon to the 'sharp end' clearing mines at Nui Dat, there was a lot to learn for a young man in a strange country, fighting a murky, confusing war. australia. army - aboriginal troops, saigon, nui dat

The war that has raged in and around Vietnam - with no end in sight - is one of the curcial conflicts of our time. vietnam war, 1961-1975 - campaigns

Program for a rally arranged by the City of St Kilda on 26 June 1940 at St Kilda Town Hall to recruit numbers and raise war savings. Includes a detachable application form for War Savings Certificates on the back page. One of the speakers at the rally was Gunner Harold Holt MHR, who later served as Prime Minister in 1966-67. Holt was elected to Parliament in 1935 at the age of 27. He enlisted in the Militia in February 1939, joining a part-time artillery unit for businessmen and professionals and, May 1940, without resigning his seat, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force with the intent of becoming a full-time soldier. He was posted to the 2/4th Field Regiment, holding the rank of gunner. Within three months his brief military career came to an end when three senior government ministers died in a plane crash, an election was called, and he was given leave from the Army to campaign. He was re-elected and then resigned from the Army in October 1940 upon being sworn in as Minister for Labour and National Service.Cream coloured paper, printed in blue on both sides, folded and perforated at the fold city of st kilda, world war ii, wwii fund-raising, harold holt, arnold colman

0-6-2 Tank Locomotive No.1 "Delta" Gauge 2'0" Identification: 1 Delta Type: 0-6-2T Builder: Perry Engineering, Mile End, South Australia Builder's number: Perry 7967.50.4 of 1950 Building date: 1950 Current status - Static Exhibit Wheel Arrangement 0-6-2T Cylinders (Diameter X Stroke) 10 inches X 18 inches Boiler Pressure 180 psi Driving Wheel (Dia.) 28 ½ inches Weight 16 tons Coal Capacity 27 cubic feet Water Capacity 500 gallons The Perry Engineering Co, Mile End, South Australia built a total of 18 locomotives for the 2’0” gauge tramways used by the sugar industry in Queensland. This 0-6-2T locomotive was built by Perry Engineering Co. Ltd. of Mile End, Adelaide as their Builder's No. 7967.50.4 of 1950. It was used at Qanaba Mill, Bundaberg where it was known as No.1 "Delta". / Qanaba Mill No.1 No. 1 “DELTA” 0-6-2 TANK LOCOMOTIVE Gauge: 2 foot Built by Perry Engineering Company of South Australia in 1950 (Builder’s number 7967.50.4), “DELTA” is a medium sized Australian designed locomotive featuring Walschaert’s valve gear driving piston valves. Weighing 16 tons (16.3 tonnes) it was one of the post-war narrow gauge steam locomotives, which worked in the canefields of Queensland until 1978. “DELTA” worked at various sugar mills in the Bundaberg area and was finally withdrawn from service at Quanba Mill after a life of 28 years. Obtained by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society in 1981. Delivered to Australian Estates Co., Kalamia Mill named DELTA in 1950. Purchased by Fairymead Mill as No 20 DELTA. Purchased by Millaquin Sugar for Qanaba Mill as No. 1 DELTA, 1970 Withdrawn from service, 1978. Obtained by Puffing Billy Preservation Society for display at the Puffing Billy Museum.Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Steam Locomotive used in Queensland in Sugar Mill service. Locomotive No.1 "Delta" - Steam Locomotive - made of steel, and wrought ironDelta0-6-2 tank locomotive no.1 "delta" perry engineering - puffing billy railway perry 7967.50.4 of 1950, puffing billy, qunaba sugar mill, bundaberg, perry engineering, delta, steam locomotive, 0-6-2 tank locomotive no.1

These men were either born, worked or enlisted at Wangaratta prior to serving their country in the First World War. There names also appear on the South Wangaratta School and District Honour Board (27) Private William John LAW 1221 - 19 years - Born Murchison in Victoria. Occupation Carpenter Next of Kin - Father John Wilson LAW of Wangaratta Joined 2-3-1916 Enlisted at Wangaratta Unit 37th Battalion. Embarked Melbourne 3-6-1916 HMAT Persic A34 Discharged 21-9-1919. Private Joseph Henry LAW 986 - 21 years Born Euroa in Victoria Occupation Labourer Next of Kin - Mother Mrs Robert (Esther) LAW of Yatte Yattah - 18 NSW Joined 29-3-1915 Enlisted at Wangaratta Unit 24th Battalion. Embarked Melbourne 10-5-1915 HMAT Euripidies A14 Killed in Action 29-7-1916 France. Private Norman William FOSTER 7785 -18 1/2 years - Born Wangaratta in Victoria Occupation Labourer Next of Kin - Sister Mrs William (Florence) McLean of Wangaratta Joined 15-7-1915 Enlisted at Melbourne Unit 54th Battalion Killed in Action 1-9-1918 France Private James Archibald McCORMICK 3195 - 19 years Born Wangaratta Occupation Engineer Next of Kin Father Samuel McCormick Enlisted Melbourne 27-7-1915 Embarked 26/11/1915 Unit 24th Battalion Killed in Action 5-8-1916 France Private Roland Caractacus HUGHES 3134(3131) - 20 years 5 months Born Wangaratta Occupation Blacksmith Next of Kin Father Roland W Hughes Joined 21-10-1915 Enlisted at Seymour 7th REIN 24th Battalion Embarked 26-11-1915 Wounded - GSW Leg and thigh RTA Discharged 11-10-1917 Private James Kelly O'CALLAGHAN 1250 - 22 years Born Mansfield Occupation Labourer Next of Kin Father John O'Callaghan Swanpool via Benalla Joined 6-3-1916 Enlisted at Wangaratta 37th/59th Battalions Embarked 3-6-1916 Wounded GSW Face and arm. RTA 30-1-1918 Discharged 2-7-1918 Private Samuel William DAVISON 6793 - 22 years 5 months Born Benalla Occupation Baker - Employer A Watson of Wangaratta Next of Kin Mother Mrs Ellen Tutty of South Wangaratta Enlisted Melbourne 3-1-1917 21/24th Battalions Embarked 11-5-1917 Wounded 9-8-1918 GSW Arm RTA 16-4-1920 (with wife) Discharged 26-7-1920 Private William Leslie HUNTER (Depot) 18 years 2 months Born Yan Yean Occupation Farmer/Labourer Next of Kin Father William James Hunter of Wangaratta Joined 18-2-1916 Enlisted Wangaratta 3-4-1916 Discharged at Seymour on 26-5-1916 Medically Unfit due to DiabetesThe school was completed in May 1875 and commenced operating as South Wangaratta State School No 1580, on the 15th June 1875 with 47 children in attendance. By the end of that year the number had grown to 72. The pupil recorded as number 98, in the school register of 1876, was Stephen Hart from the Three Mile Creek. He first attended the school at the age of 17 years and within two years he was a member of the infamous Kelly Gang. During World War I, 22 former pupils volunteered for active service and four gave their lives. Brown timber frame and mount containing eight photographs of soldiers.Photos of the following Soldiers: Pte J H Law, Pte J McCormick, Pte N Foster, Pte R Hughes, Pte W J Law, Pte J O'Callaghan, Pte S Davison, Pte W Hunterlaw, mccormick, foster, hughes, o'callaghan, davison, hunter

Australian Army Cessna 180 A98-044 which suffered bullet damage whilst operating from Bien Hoa South Vietnam on 6th July, 1968Two black wide narrow shaped wings with white strip on ends either side of round grey nose centerpiece.Plaque - This Propeller powered Australian Army Cessna 180 A98-044 It suffered bullet damage whilst operating from Bien Hoa South Vietnam on 6th July, 1968 Pilot 2nd Lt Steve TIZZARD Observer Lt Kev LUNNYvietnam war, bien hoa, australian army cessna

Photograph of Private later Corporal Sperry Bodsworth born 27/8/1909. In 1940 aged 30 years he enlisted in the Army and assigned to the 2/21 Battalion. On 13/12/1941 the Battalion was deployed from Darwin to Ambon in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, to form part of "Gull Force". The Battle of Ambon occurred between 30 January to 3 February, 1942. In April 1942 Bodsworth was listed as missing and on 1/6/1942 was reported as a Prisoner of War. Bodsworth was awarded a Mention in Despatches.The Battle of Ambon (30 January – 3 February 1942) occurred on the island of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), during World War II. Japan invaded and conquered the island in a few days, facing Dutch, American and Australian forces. The chaotic and sometimes bloody fighting was followed by a series of major Japanese war crimes. Allied casualties in the battle were relatively light. However, at intervals for a fortnight after the surrender, Japanese personnel chose more than 300 Australian and Dutch prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near Laha airfield. In part, this was revenge for the sinking of the Japanese minesweeper, as some surviving crew of the minesweeper took part.. Three-quarters of the Australians captured on Ambon died before the war's end. Of the 582 who remained on Ambon, 405 died. They died of overwork, malnutrition, disease and one of the most brutal regimes among camps in which bashings were routine. Blood Oath, a 1990 Australian feature film is based on the real-life trial of Japanese soldiers for war crimes committed against Allied prisoners of war on the island of Ambon, in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), such as the Laha massacre of 1942.Brown timber frame containing black and white photograph of WW2 Soldier wearing slouch hatww2, gull force, ambon, sperry bodsworth, pow

On the night of 30-31 January 1942 this small force of 1131 Australian soldiers were stationed at Ambon, an island which formed part of the Netherland East Indies (now Indonesia). An invasion of approximately 20,000 Japanese overwhelmed Gull Force and the majority of the Australian soldiers were taken prisoner. The execution of 229 at Laha, starvation, over work, disease and the absence of medical supplies led to horrific loss. At the cessation of hostilities only 352 of the original 1131 had made it back to Australia. 779 members of Gull Force made the supreme sacrifice and now lie in foreign fields. The Battle of Ambon (30 January – 3 February 1942) occurred on the island of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), during World War II. Japan invaded and conquered the island in a few days, facing Dutch, American and Australian forces. The chaotic and sometimes bloody fighting was followed by a series of major Japanese war crimes. Allied casualties in the battle were relatively light. However, at intervals for a fortnight after the surrender, Japanese personnel chose more than 300 Australian and Dutch prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near Laha airfield. In part, this was revenge for the sinking of the Japanese minesweeper, as some surviving crew of the minesweeper took part.. Three-quarters of the Australians captured on Ambon died before the war's end. Of the 582 who remained on Ambon, 405 died. They died of overwork, malnutrition, disease and one of the most brutal regimes among camps in which bashings were routine. Blood Oath, a 1990 Australian feature film is based on the real-life trial of Japanese soldiers for war crimes committed against Allied prisoners of war on the island of Ambon, in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), such as the Laha massacre of 1942.Brown timber frame with gold coloured inner edge containing badge and tribute on grey backgroundGull Force 2/21 Battalion Ambon Laha In memory of and tribute to the Officers and Men of "Gull Force" comprising of 2/21 Battalion and attached Units.gull force, 2/21 battalion, ambon, ww2

Second War World Khaki cotton drill roll up sewing kit, also known as a housewife. The kit is incomplete except for two wads of khaki colour thread.Sewing kit made from Khaki cotton with bound edging.Pouch has two internal pockets with press studs and cloth ties at one end. Initials or crest in dark brown cotton stitched on front of itemwwii, world war 2, army, australian army, sewing kit, housewife

The sash was awarded to G. Lunardelli as the winner of the Senior 20 mile Road Championship for GWCC. Lunardelli came out from Trieste, Italy after World War 11 and worked for the Geelong Water Board. Lunardelli subsequently ceased full time cycling in order to make a living.This award indicates the important influence that immigrants had on the popularity and depth of cycling at the time in the Geelong region. Cycling was and continues to be very popular in Europe.Burgundy satin sash with gold tassel finish at one end. It has faded gold embossed inscriptions on it."Geelong West Cycling Club/1952 Senior 20 Mile Unpaced/Road Championship/ Won by G. LUNARDELLI/Time 56mins5 2/5 seconds"sash; geelong west cycling club; lunardelli; 1952; road championship;

Lieutenant Albert Sargent VX15290 was born on the 3rd of November, 1918 at Wangaratta in Victoria. He was a member of Z Special Unit and involved in Operation RIMAU. when he was captured and executed by the Japanese in Malaya on the 7th of July, 1945 during WW2. Operation RIMAU - In September, 1944, 23 British and Australian members of Z Special Unit travelled from Australia by submarine to the outskirts of Singapore Harbour then under Japanese occupation. Their mission was to attack and destroy enemy shipping from small submersible boats using magnetic limpet mines. Official Japanese records state that the ten men of the contingent captured were beheaded at Pasir Panjang on 7 July 1945, approximately one month before World War II in the Pacific came to an end.Brown timber frame and green mount containing a copy of photograph of soldier and map showing RIMAU battles and listing RIMAU personnel.Lt Albert Sargent Operation RIMAUoperation rimau, albert sargent, z special unit, vx15290, wangaratta, ww2

Demobilization Procedure Book issued to Private John Brian MURRAY VX142238 of Moyhu VictoriaThe Demobilization Procedure Book was developed and issued as a handbook by the Australian Military Forces to service men and women once they became available for dispersal. The handbook was used to facilitate the action necessary for demobilisation following the end of World War II in 1945. The completion of the handbook and instructions were required before a Certificate of Discharge could be issued.Brown cardboard covered book with black printNo 145950 VX 142238 Pte MURRAY John Brian - Moyhu Victoriaprivate john brian murray vx142238, demobilization procedure book, ww2

Camp 2 waterclour. Donated Lieut Frederick Ferdinando Hardy b 1881. Served in Boer War, migrated to australia in 1909, enlisted WW!, with number VX7. Re-enlisted in 1940 for WW2 and served as Paymaster in camp 2Framed watercolour of Camp 2. Four huts, two in foreground and two behind. Two large gum trees and the end of the row infron t of a barbed wire fence. Corragated iron ssurrounds a small garden. Other gardens have frame work constructed from tree branches for climbing vines. Some washing hangs from another branch. Two gentlemen sit on a bench at a table appear to be studying. Tatura 1941, Theodore Engelcamp 2 tatura, theodore engel, watercolour painting, camp huts, 1941, hardy

Made by a German Prisoner of War in Camp 13 (Murchison) and given to a member of the garrison, R. E. O'Hara. Internees / POW's made many items from largely scrap material during their time in the camps. This item holds historical and cultural significance as an example of the ingenuity of internees & how many occupied their time in camps, shaping the cultural and creative life of those in the camps. Also a possible indicator of relationship between garrison and internees. Dark brown wooden crop or swagger stick with a wooden knob on one end and a horse hair plume attached with cord to the other end. Fine cord attached to knob end with a loop for hanging. murchison, camp 13, tatura, garrison, prisoner of war, internee camps, ww2

WW2 internment camp 1, Tatura. Australian Staff Sergeant G F Evans (V14130) with two of the mascots in camp 1 - Whacko the Cockatoo and Cobber the terrier. Whacko was found by a prisoner as a fledgling, reared by one of the guards and renowned for its lurid vocabulary. Ended its days at Wallan Hotel after the War.Black and white photograph. Australian Sergeant (wearing service ribbons) with white cockatoo and terrier standing in front of Army hut, Camp 1. Photograph taken 24 June 1943.internment camps, tatura internment camps, wacka the cockatoo, cobber the terrier, staff sergeant g f evans, v14130, army camp mascots

This banner belonged to Wilhelm Eckels, a wool buyer in Sydney , NSW, when war broke out. He was interned in Camp 1, aged 22 years. Red cloth banner with hand stitched green tassels on one end. Hand painted Comedy and Tragedy symbol and writingas abovewilhelm eckels, wool buyer, rod eckels

Erected in the township of Miners Rest in 1920 in remembrance of fallen soldiers, this granite plinth cenotaph stands at the West end of an Avenue of Honour with 25 trees. The memorial is of Harcourt colonial granite, with bronze face plates, and contains the names of twenty-four soldiers of the district who sacrificed their lives at war. The monument was designed by the well-known sculptor, Mr F. W. Commons, and the work executed by returned soldiers employed at his studio on Creswick Road, Ballarat.The memorial is of historic and social significance to the people of BallaratGranite stone memorial including plaques on a bluestone base. 4 smaller granite posts and flag pole. In honour of our men of this district who gave their lives in the great war 1914-19. Duty Nobly Done. Erected by residents A.D.1920. Unveiled by Sir A. J. Peacock K.C.M.C., M.L.A. 23rd May 1920 Soldiers named; L.C. Blackman, D.G. Chisholm, J. Dowie, D. Dobson, H. Fisher, A.E. Gray, E.S. Holgate, H.S. Holgate, A. Kennedy, W.C. Kilfeder, G.A. Loader, H.R. Lonsdale, W. Miller, P. Morgan, C.A. Morrison, J. McDonald, N. McKenzie, L. Pollock, W.G. Pollock, A. Robertson, C.F. Shelton, P.J. Shelton, G.F. Smith, J.T. Swain.miners rest cenotaph, miners rest avenue of honour

Eternal Flame was created by Ballarat sculptor Peter Blizzard as a marker of the end of WWII in the Pacific. Engraved into the bluestone shaped tile across the base of the statue is details about conflict areas where Australian Troops were active. The metal structure mimics a moving flame with it's polished golden hue, a feature included in many war memorials around the world. Peter Blizzard also designed the Prisoner of War Memorial in the South Gardens, Ballarat Botanic Gardens. The metal structure mimics the moving flame of polished golden hue that is present in war memorials around the world. Eternal flame is aesthetically and historically significant to the people of BallaratMetal construction on bluestone tile baseConflict areas for Australian Troops are engraved into bluestone shaped tile across the base of the statue. eternal flame, world war ii, conflict, peter blizzard, australian sculpture

The Battle of Tarakan was the first stage in the Borneo campaign of 1945. It began with an amphibious landing by Australian forces on 1 May, code-named Operation Oboe One. While the battle ended with success for the Allied forces over the Japanese defenders, this victory is generally regarded as having not justified its costs. 225 Australian soldiers of the 26th Brigade, 9th Division, 2nd Australian Imperial Force were once buried here. They were killed in the Battle of Tarakan (1 May - 21 June 1945) or died due to their wounds until 15 August 1945.The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced black and white photograph of a monument/cenotaph and lawn grave sites with white crosses.Handwritten on rear - Tarakan Cemetery2/24th battalion, wangaratta, tarakan

September 30,1945 - The official dedication service and unveiling of the Cenotaph at Tarakan War Cemetery The Battle of Tarakan was the first stage in the Borneo campaign of 1945. It began with an amphibious landing by Australian forces on 1 May, code-named Operation Oboe One. While the battle ended with success for the Allied forces over the Japanese defenders, this victory is generally regarded as having not justified its costs. 225 Australian soldiers of the 26th Brigade, 9th Division, 2nd Australian Imperial Force were once buried here. They were killed in the Battle of Tarakan (1 May - 21 June 1945) or died due to their wounds until 15 August 1945.The 2/24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served during World War II .A unit of all-volunteers, it was formed in July 1940 from primarily Victorian volunteers and was known as "Wangaratta's Own" because of the time the battalion spent in the town during its formative period prior to deployment overseas. It served in North Africa in 1941–1942 as part of the 26th Brigade, which was assigned to the 7th Division, before being reassigned to the 9th Division. In early 1943, the battalion returned to Australia and later took part in campaigns against the Japanese in New Guinea in 1943–1944 and Borneo in 1945, before being disbanded in 1946. The 2/24th suffered the highest number of casualties of any 2nd AIF infantry battalion. The Unit was granted the Freedom of the City by the Rural City of Wangaratta in 1996 and one of the first, if not the first, to receive this type of honour. Reproduced black and white photograph of monument/cenotaph and catafalque party2/24th battalion, tarakan, cenotaph