An official AMF publication issued to all Australian servicemen and women just prior to their deployment to South Vietnam during the war in that country. Contains information about the culture of the country, aspects of the armed forces of USA, Republic of South Vietnam and the Viet Cong and North Vietnam Army. Details of weapons likely to be encountered. Green soft covered book titled 'Pocketbook South Vietnam', saddled stitched and stapled, 74 pages.vietnam war, weapons, language, customs

A trenching tool used in Vietnam war, carried by soldiers with their kit. This tool had multiple uses including digging in-field trenches, disposal of human waste, and an an improptu weapon in hand-to-hand combat.This trenching tool is representative of filed kits issued to Australian soldiers in the Vietnam War. Length of handle suggests it was used by Sappers or Artillary.A portable folding shovel with a rivetted lip attached to a wooden handle. A metal tube is atached to the end of the handle. The metal blade is hinged by rivet to the metal tube on the end of the handle. A circular steel tube is on the metal tube.trenching tool, field shovel, vietnam war, military kit, shovel

Soft cover book showing the Vietnam War through the use of cartoons (and other glimpses of the lighter side of war)Printed by The Wayward Pres, Tokyo in 1968

The couple from this photo has gone through great hardship in the period they spent as refugees. They fled Southern Vietnam (Ca Mau) after the Vietnam War in late 1979 when the chinese have invaded and settled in Vietnam. They came on the #91 boat called Minh Hai 375 and arrived at the island on 10/22/1978. Prior to that they were ambushed by pirates who tried to rob, rape and completely take advantage of the vulnerable state the refugee people in. They recall having to purposely sink the boat so that they can be allowed into the country.This photo is great evidence to the family value Vietnamese refugees hold in the period of the period of fleeing the poor conditions that exists back in their country. People put their life online just to HOPE for a better life. Family portrait of a couple and first born child (son) in front of what look like their home at the time. This was taken at 1979 on the island called Pulau Bidong. It's a photo which has been laminated onto a light blue backing paper. The photo's corner has also been rounded with hand written label stating; 'Pulau - Bidong 1979' pulau - bidong 1977

Book published to highlight the involvement of Victorian servicemen and servicewomen in the Vietnam War (1964-1972)Hardback book titled "Victoria Remembers Vietnam: A Journey of Remembrance , Commemoration and Celebration" published on to mark the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.south vietnam, victoria, veterans, long tan

Vietnam War veteran An enthralling account of an Australian infantryman and his companions in the Vietnam War. On Friday 8th March 1968, 20-year-old Gary McKay lost the lottery. He was conscripted. From a comfortable and carefree life of surfing and rugby football, he was drafted into the deadly serious preparation for war in the jungles of South Vietnam. In Good Company is his story told in his own words. It begins with induction and selection for the officer academy for national servicemen at Scheyville, a six-month 'pressure cooker' course which produced second lieutenants ready to lead troops into action against the Viet Cong. It ends three and a half years later with a burst of NVA machine-gun fire during a battle among enemy-held bunkers in the hills of Nui Le. Here is a grass-roots account of the blood, sweat and tears shared by a rifle platoon in jungle warfare, a straightforward story of the fears and the camaraderie which soldiers experience in combat. Gary McKay fashioned this account from his experience in action, leading his platoon. The detail is provided from the 80 letters he wrote to his wife while he served. He wrote his story for the reader who wants to know what the soldier on the ground went through - in the fetid jungle, in battle. Anyone who wants to understand what service in South Vietnam meant to those who were there should read this book. 'Reading In Good Company leaves a vivid and disconcerting impression of how the Vietnam War smelt, felt and sounded. One of the most honest and affecting war memoirs which Australians have so far published.' - Mark Thomas, Canberra Times 'An enthralling, accurate account of infantry soldiering in the Vietnam era. Very readable; a must for those who have never experienced combat and a vivid reminder for all veterans.' - Major General M. P. Blake, AM, MC, former CO 5th Battalion RARGary John McKay MC (born 1947) is a writer and former Australian Army officer. He was awarded the Military Cross while serving with the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment during the Vietnam War.[1] He later served as Commanding Officer of 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment between 1988 and 1990Soft cover non fiction book

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

Russell H Whitehead serve in 1 Field Regiment Royal Australian Artillery in Vietnam between 22/05/66 and 27/03/67 Plastic Framed Certificate of Vietnam Service Vietnam War Service / Private / Russell Henry WHITEHEAD / Service No: 3411520/ Service: Army / Service Between 22/05/1966 and 27/03/1967 /Total Days: 310 /Unit: 1st Field Regiment / Australian Coat of Arms bottom left hand corner Australian Government/ Department of Veterans Affairs/ on centre left sign Rising Sun Emblemvietnam, 1 field regiment, first field regiment, royal australian artillery

These boots had a metal plate inserted in sole to protect the feet of personnel wearing boot. This was after earlier boots without this protection did not protect the wearer from sharpened spikes eg bamboo set in pits or “punji” pits, during the Vietnam war. The laces were done up by knotting one end,threading from bottom hole across to opposite hole,up next hole on same side,across to opposite hole etc. This meant that only one loop per opposite holes was all exposed for a quick and easy cutting to release the boot in case of injury to wearer.These boots were typically worn on parade,training and in combat during the Vietnam war era and after.The LEFT boot solid black leather uppers with split leather tongue sewn to sides - making the boot semi water and insect proof.The sole is hard black rubber compound with 7 cleats on sole and 3 cleats on heel,all part of rubber sole. Woven black cotton laces. 30 mm leather reinforcing strip sewn on inside top of boot. 11 by 5mm metal holes per boot for laces. Sole is welded on. “Dunlop made in Australia” and “5/5” on sole in front of heel. Inscribed on top reinforced inside leather band is- “ B 22 R.B.T 1439 188” on one side and “ 5/6” on the other.boots, general purpose, g.p., vietnam war

These boots had a metal plate inserted in sole to protect the feet of personnel wearing boot. This was after earlier boots without this protection did not protect the wearer from sharpened spikes eg bamboo set in pits or “punji” pits, during the Vietnam war. The laces were done up by knotting one end,threading from bottom hole across to opposite hole,up next hole on same side,across to opposite hole etc. This meant that only one loop per opposite holes was all exposed for a quick and easy cutting to release the boot in case of injury to wearer.These boots were typically worn on parade,training and in combat during the Vietnam war era and after.The RIGHT boot solid black leather uppers with split leather tongue sewn to sides - making the boot semi water and insect proof.The sole is hard black rubber compound with 7 cleats on sole and 3 cleats on heel,all part of rubber sole. Woven black cotton laces. 30 mm leather reinforcing strip sewn on inside top of boot. 11 by 5mm metal holes per boot for laces. Sole is welded on. “Dunlop made in Australia” and “5/5” on sole in front of heel. Inscribed on top reinforced inside leather band is- “ B 22 R.B.T 1439 188” on one side and “ 5/6” on the other.boots, general purpose, g.p., vietnam war

Certificate of Vietnam War Service in plastic frame with perspex frontVietnam War Service / Private / Maxwell James WHITEHEAD / Service No: 3411672 / Service: Army / Service Bewteen 23/09/1966 and 22/08/1967 /Total Days: 334 /Unit: 1st Field Squadron / Australian Coat of Arms bottom left hand corner Australian Government/ Department of Veterans Affairs/ on centre left sign Rising Sun Emblem plastic, certificate, 1st field squadron, war service certicate

From birth of the Sub Branch, this plaque is what is looked towards in reflection of times past.The Long Tan Cross is highly significant to all Vietnam Veterans; this plaque is highly significant to members of the Diamond Valley Sub Branch.Rectangular wooden plaque with black face and gold lettering describing the historical background of the Long Tan Cross.Text describing the historic background of the Long Tan Cross.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch

Picture includes some members 2000.A recollection of sub branch earliest membersPhotograph, rectangular shape - DViets first Long Tan Day, 2000.. Text in photo: DViets First Long Tan Day 2000; list of people in photo.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, long tan day, vietnam veterans day

Picture captured outside Greensborough RSL, 2001. shows some 2001 members.Includes some of Sub Branch earliest members.Photo, outside Greensborough RSL, Vietnam Veterans Day, 2001Text list of members in photograph: Vietnam Veterans Day, 2001vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, long tan day, vietnam veterans day

Photo: DViets Vietnam Veterans Day March, August 2002 - marching up Main Street, Greensborough.Historical record showing marching members in 2002..Color photograph of Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans marching on Main Street, Greensborough, VV Day August 2002.Text in photo: DViets Vietnam Veterans Day March, August 2002vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, long tan day, vietnam veterans day

Shows delegates from Sub Branches throughout Victoria and includes local MP Jenny Macklin.Record of delegates to Council Meeting of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (Vic), 2003.Photo, Framed: VVAA (Vic) Council Meeting, 2003, Hosted by Diamond Valley Sub Branch.VVAA Victorian State Council Meeting, November 2003; Hosted by Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans Sub Branch; special guest is Jenny Macklin, MP.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, vietnam veterans association of australia (victoria)

Dviets visiting Army Recruit Training Centre (ARTC) Kapooka, 2002Records some Diamond Valley Sub Branch members, 2002.Photograph, Diamond Valley members at ARTC, Kapooka, 2002DViets "Back To Basics; Kapooka ARTC, November 2002.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch

Photo of Padre Noel Boyce with Bob Elworthy, 2002Photo of first sub branch Padre.Photograph: Bob Elworthy with Padre Noel Boyce, 2002DViet Padre Noel Boyce, 2002.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch

Meeting of DViets and Governor at Kangaroo Ground; purpose unknown.Photo illustrates that sub branch enjoyed a close relationship with higher government bodies and other elements of government.Colour photographPhoto Heading: "DViets and the Governor, Kangaroo Ground, 2001"; names list of people in photo.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch

2005 DViets visit to the older Vietnam Veterans Museum, Phillip Island and present the museum with a $1,200 donation.Photo shows sub branch members and includes older picture of museum external wall. Photograph, in color of sub branch members visiting the National Vietnam Veterans Museum, Phillip Island, September 2005.DViets visit National Vietnam Museum Phillip Island, September 2005; During the visit the Sub Branch presented a donation cheque of $1,200 to the museum.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, national vietnam veterans museum

8RAR plaque presented by 8RAR members..Evidence of 8RAR members in the Sub Branch; text engraved by hand.Wooden plaque, mahogany in color with brass engraving plate towards bottom of the plaque and with a prominent brass Royal Australian Regiment symbol centrally mounted on the plaque.Presented to the DViets by its 8RAR members.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, 8rar

Presented by DViets first Chaplain.Record of the sub branch's first Padre.Plaque, wooden. Engraved: Presented by the first DViet Padre, Noel Boyce - Nov 02; Unit crest: Royal Army Chaplains' Department, Motto: Ïn This Sign Conquer".vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch

Very early photo, framed, 1 Australian Task Force Area, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam. Circa 1966Photo of earliest days of 1ATF.Photo, Framed, wooden; arial photo of 1 Australian Task Force Area (1ATF), Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam. Circa 19661ATF, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch

Photo, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Remembrance Garden, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, 17 August 2000.Record of earlist links between Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre and the Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans.Photo, Framed, wooden. Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Remembrance Garden, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, 17 August 2000.Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Remembrance Garden, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre. Unveiled and dedicated in 1999. Photographed at Vietnam Veterans Day Service on 17 August 2000. Presented to Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans by Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre 10 November 2000.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch

Photo - "The Vietnam Veteran - Buggered but Never Beaten"- Geoff Maple, 4RAR, 1971Depiction of the infantry soldiers' struggle in Vietnam.Monochrome picture of a side profile view of a typical infantry soldier in Vietnam and patrol ready."The Vietnam Veteran - Buggered but Never Beaten"- Geoff Maple, 4RAR, 1971vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, 4rar

DViet Working Party at Repatriation and General Hospital - evidence of the close ties between the two parties.Photo confirms that the Diamond Valey Sub Branch and the Repatriation and General Hospital have worked cooperatively for many years.Rectangular coloured photograph showing sub branch members and friends working bee, Repatriation and General Hospital, 2002.A Listing of participants at the working bee.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, repatriation hospital

10 August 2001, DViets first Vietnam Veterans Day wreath, placed by Tony Welsh, 1APC Sqn-RAAC, Battle of Long Tan.Unique record of Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans Sub Branch Commemorating Its First Vietnam Veterans Day As a Sub Branch with a Wreath Presented by Tony Welsh.Colour photograph featuring formally attired man with beret and medals carrying a floral wreath. Text describes event at top and at the bottom of image.DViets First Vietnam Day Wreath /Saturday 18 August 2001 / Placed By Tony Welsh /(1APC SQN-RAAC, Battle of Long Tan)vietnam veterans day, 2001, raac, tony welsh, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, long tan day, vietnam, vietnam war

The flag of the Republic of Vietnam served as the South Vietnamese national flag during that country's existence between 1948 and 1975. The flag, being of a defunct state, is no longer officially used in Vietnam today, but is still shown and used overseas by many Vietnamese emigrés.The flag under which the soldiers of South Vietnam fought and by association, alongside which the Allied nations also fought during the Vietnam War.Framed textile, with glass and dark brown timber and gold frame. Large yellow flag with three red horizontal stripes. Small brass plaque in lower quadrant.Flag of Republic of Vietnam.flag, vietnam, republic of vietnam national flag, 1949 to 1975, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch

Framed photo of VVAA (Vic) Sub Branches assembly at The Shrine, Melbourne, in August 2006 at the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.Historical record of some of the Vietnam Veteran Sub Branches in Victoria as at August 2006.Framed photo of VVAA (Vic) Sub Branches assembled at The Shrine, Melbourne, on 18th August 2006 at the commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.Vietnam Veterans Day - 18th August 2006. 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veteran sub branch, long tan day