Postcard written by Private Frederick Corkish, service number 46656, who served in the 19th Kings Liverpool Regiment in the British Army during WWI He was from Ramsey, Isle of Man. He was taken Prisoner of War in Germany in 1918.German post card with handwritten note in English. No picture.Front: "Pte F Corkish / 46656 / 19th Kings Lpool Regt / Gefangenen Lager / Guben / Brandenburg / Germany ... Miss M Corkish / Heath Bank / Kersal / Manchester / England" Back: "Sept 1st 1918 / Dear sister. Just these few lines hoping they find you in the best of health the same as it leaves me at present. I wrote too cards and a letter to mother so I expect she has told you how I am getting on. Well may I expect yourself and Annie are still to-gether if so tell her I was asking for her. Have you been home for a sight since I have been a prisoner of war. I bet things are quiet over in Ramsey now. Dear sister I think this is all I hae got to say this time so I will now close with best of love from your brother Fred / xxxxx"corkish, isle of man, prisoner of war, pow, brandenburg

Prisoner of War mail from Germany during WWI. Private Frederick Corkish, service number 46656, who served in the 19th Kings Liverpool Regiment in the British Army during WWI He was from Ramsey, Isle of Man. He was taken Prisoner of War in Germany in 1918.Rectangular double-sided paper with German language and English name and address.Front: "Kriegsgefangenen-Sendung / An Postpruefungs-Stelle des Kriegs-Gefang -Lagers ...Mrs J Corkish / 4 Marsden Street / Ramsey / Isle of Man" Back: "I am a prisonner (sic) of war in Germany. / Corkish / Frederick / Private / 19th Kings Liverpool" "Do not reply to Limburg / await further information"pow, prisoner of war, corkish, brandenburg, isle of man, german pow, wwi

00075.1 Royal Ulster Rifles Hat Badge 00075.2 King's Scottish Border Regiment Hat Badge 00075.3 British Army Labour Corps Hat badge

00511 .1 Royal Australian Army Medical Corps x 2 .2. Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers x1 .3. Australia Shoulder Titles x 2 .4. British Title, QUEENS " Royal West Surrey Regiment".

Colour photograph of re-enactors of the 40th regiment firing muskets at the Soldiers Graves at the Ballaarat Old Cemetery. eureka sunday, 40th regiment, muskets, ballaarat old cemetery, eureka commemoration, british army, eureka stockade

Swords were issued to Australian Light Horse in 1918. Light Horse in period 1920 - 1940 were equipped with swords. Some soldiers including Trooper G R Fear chose to obtain their own swords. Trooper Fear served with 2/9th Armoured Regiment during World War Two. 8/13 VMR Heritage Troop carried swords and gave exhibitions of tent-pegging during 1980s.Part of collection relating to an Armoured Corps soldier of WW11British Model 1908 cavalry sword with steel blade 890mm long, composition handle with steel handguard, painted steel scabbard with 2 fixed rings. Painted khaki greenON blade 12 A 15 EFD On back " 08 "military, sword, fear, light horse, militia

Comet was a WW11 British tank. Publication possibly issued to CMF Units in anticipation of receiving Comet tanks in early post war period. Instead Centurion tanks were received, 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.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.Cream coloured soft covered manual being Inspection Instructions ( Provisional ) Overhaul Comet Tanks. 88 pages and 6 fold out sheets. Stapled on short edge. Published by British Army September 1948Dyna tape on front cover " 629.28.Bri

Shield shaped wooden plaque with British War Medal awarded to 3452 Trooper Frederick William Worsley 8th Light Horse Regiment and a paper label giving details.WWI BWM to 3452 Pte / Frederick William Worsley / 8th LH Regt AIF / (enl 14/9/17 RTA 26/1/19)wwi, worlsd war one, 8th, light horse, medal, bwm

The British War Medal was instituted on 26 July 1919 for award to those who had rendered service between 5 August 1914, the day following the British declaration of war against the German Empire, and the armistice of 11 November 1918, both dates inclusive. 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.. Two world War medals awarded to Regimental No 1336 Trooper H P C Cawsey 13th Australian Light Horse. Medals are British War Medal 1914-1918 and Victory Medal.cawsey, 13th, light horse, world war one, wwi

Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Cecil Maygar, VC, DSO, VD (27 May 1868 – 1 November 1917) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was awarded the VC for facilitating the rescue of a dismounted man while under severe rifle fire in 1902 during the Second Boer War. He later served at Gallipoli during the First World War, and died of wounds after being strafed during the Battle of Beersheba as part of the Sinai and Palestine campaign. The Maygar Club was the Other Ranks club at firstly Buna Barracks Albury, later at North Bandiana and currently at Latchford Barracks Bonegilla. The framed artwork was removed from the Club at Buna Barracks when the regiment relocated to Bandiana and placed in the Heritage Collection.Framed black and white reproduction of a photograph of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Magyar together with a interpretive panel and a donor's plaque.Presented to Maygar Club by Sgt C Bruce Dec 97-Dec 99maygar, wwi, world war one, boer war, victoria cross

World War One British War Medal and Victory medals awarded to 45748 Private E Molyneux Cheshire Regiment.medal, molyneux, cheshire, world war one, wwi

Frederick V Trickey had extensive service with the Victorian Colonial military prior to 18 months service in South Africa. His World War One service included Gallipoli and Western Front with 8th Infantry Battalion AIF. He served in World War Two but did not proceed overseas. Major Frederick C Truckey had pre-war service with 8th Light Horse and Australian Army Instructional Corps; then during World War Two he served with 2/8th Armoured Regiment AIF. Following the war, he joined the Australian Regular Army and served in Korea. Graham M Trickey served with the Royal Australian Air Force in World War Two serving in the South Pacific area.Framed display board with perspex cover sheet containing medals of Frederick Victor Trickey and his two sons Frederick C Trickey and Graham M Trickey. F V Trickey set: Queens South Africian Medal with clasps South Africa 1902 and Transvaal; 14-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-1918 and Victory Medal; British War Medal 39-45 and Australian Service Medal 39-45; also Gallipoli medallion. F C Trickey set: 39-45 Star, Pacific Star, British War Medal 39-45, Australian Service Medal 39-45, Korea Medal and Coronation Medal. G M Trickey set: 39-45 Star, Pacific Star, British War Medal 39-45 and Australian Service Medal 39-45.boer war, world war one, world war two, wwi, wwii, trickey

Henry George Roberts was born in Lambeth, Middlesex, The United Kingdom on 17 June 1885. The son of Elizabeth and Corporal Thomas Roberts of 2/3rd Regiment of Foot, The Buffs. Thomas Robert died in 1893 and on 28 September 1894 Henry was admitted to the Royal Military School as an apprentice. He remained there until 7 July 1900 when he enlisted at Aldershot, in the 2nd Dragoon Guards as a boy soldier. The 1901 and 1911 Censuses record him as being a musician with the 2nd Dragoon Guard, (The Queen’s Bays). Roberts married Lily Winterbourne Quinton in early 1912, a son Frederic was born on 1 February 1913. By August 1914 Roberts has travelled to Australia where he was employed as a musician and residing at “Quamby” Royal Park, Melbourne. His wife and child remaining at Mellison Road, Lower Tooting, London. On 8 September 1914 he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Melbourne, allotted Regimental Number 42, the Rank of Trooper and allocated to A Squadron, 8th Australian Light Horse Regiment. His enlistment papers raise a mystery. He stated that he and six years’ service with the Territorial Hampshire Carabiniers but made no mention of his eleven years’ service with the Regular 2nd Dragoon Guards. There is no clear answer as to why this misinformation was provided. Roberts was promoted to Sergeant on 28 October 1914. His occupation and prior experience resulting in Roberts’ appointment to the leadership of the regimental band. After training in Australia, he embarked on the Star of the Sea at Port Melbourne on 25 February 1915 arriving in Egypt on 14 March. On 16 May 1915 he proceeded to Gallipoli where he was killed in action on 7 August 1915 during the attack on the Nek. He has no known grave and is commemorated at the Lone Pine Memorial for the missing. For his service in The Great War, he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War, and Victory, Medals. Circular metal medallion with image of Britannia standing with a lion issued to NOK of No 42 Sergeant Henry Roberts 8th Australian Light Horse Regiment who was killed in action at the Nek 7 August 1915. The plaque about 120 mm in diameter, was cast in bronze, and came to be known as the "Dead Man’s Penny", because of the similarity in appearance to the much smaller penny coin. 1,355,000 plaques were issued, which used a total of 450 tons of bronze,Henry Roberts and continued to be issued into the 1930s to commemorate people who died as a consequence of the war.Henry Robertswwi, world war one, gallipoli, nek, 8th, light horse, roberts

Hartung and Madjeric both served with German forces during WW11, Harris served with British army. All migrated to Australia post-war and joined 8/13 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.Black and white photograph of seven 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles soldiers at Buna barracks , Albury c. 1968." Boots Roberts, Bill Cameron, John Doyle, Jack Harris, Harry Barnes, Lou Madjeric, Peter Hartung. "military, migrant, vmr, armour, buna barracks

Sir David Fairbairn KBE DFC was Honorary Colonel of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment 1981-83. Sir David served with 21st Light Horse prior to World War Two. During WWII he served with the Royal Australian Air Force flying Spitfires in Britain and Europe, and later in the war, in the Pacific theatre. Following the war, he entered politics, holding the federal seat of Farrer from 1949-1975. He was Minister for Defence 1971-73. Sir David was Australian Ambassador to the Netherlands 1977-1980.Framed coloured photograph of Sir David Fairbairn when serving as Honorary Colonel of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles, 1981-83.fairbairn, colonel, honorary, vmr

Many families at this time obtained and framed these military service certificates. This was part of the empire spirit of 1914. The prose at the top of the certificate is a quote from Act 5 scene 7 of William Shakespeare's "King John".Black and white certificate commemorating the war service of former WHS student Lt. Steel. A number of symbolic images including two men or horseback, a queen, a broken cart, a portrait surrounded by flags and lions and three rifles surround an photograph of Lt. Steel. Bordering the photograph is a modified Australian Government symbol, a laurel wreath, the Australian and British flags and two crossed rifles. Above the Portrait is a FOR KING AND EMPIRE banner and a quote from 'King John', and below is Lt. Steel's details.FOR KING & EMPIRE COME THE THREE FATHERS OF THE WORLD IN ARMS AND WE SHALL SHOCK THEM. NAUGHT SHALL MAKE US RUE IF AUSTRALIA TO ITSELF DO REST BUT TRUE NAME Liet' A. V. Steel REGIMENT 1st Battal'n COMPANY '10' RECORD OF SERVICE 1914 - 1919

Illustration of Sgt Jack Dodd of Goolwa, S.A. Jack joined the 3rd Light-Horse Regiment in 1929 and served with the Second AIF in Britain and the Middle East including Tobruk. Jack is depicted tent-pegging.Print by Madeleine Cobb 1984 (series)325 /1000

20th Light Horse Regiment serving in a infantry role was posted to Merauke on the southern coast of Dutch New Guinea (now the Indoneasian province of Papua) in 1943. It was the only Australian Light Horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII. Sergeant Adrian Dunne, a native of Tocumwal NSW, was killed in action 12 November 1944. He was aged 25.Rare evidence of the service of the only Australian Light Horse regiment to serve overseas in World War II (1939-45). Timber framed display panel containing Australian Commonwealth Military Forces hat badge (Rising Sun), 'Australia' metal shoulder title, 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, 1939-45 British War Medal and 1939-45 Australian Service Medal; and Colour patch of 20th Light Horse Regiment, black over gold. Objects are protected by a Perspex front cover sheet. Sgt Dunne's name is spelled incorrectly on the panel.20th Light Horse / Sgt Adrian Dunn / VX81616 Tocumwal / Killed Dutch New Guinea 1943.military, world war two, wwii, dunn, merauke, new guinea

Worn by VX45541 Lieutenant Louis A Jackson who served with 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment in Australia and New Guinea during WWII. Following its return from New Guinea in 1944, 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment had a change of role and was redesignated Numbers 41, 42 and 43 Landing Craft Companies and served in Pacific Islands till the end of the war. In 1947, Louis Jackson joined the Citizen Forces (CMF) and served as a captain in the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. This uniform is a well provenanced, representative example of WWII clothing as worn by an officer of an armoured regiment. Service dress winter jacket with 37 pattern webbing and belt, and revolver holster. Jacket has lieutenant rank insignia, 'Australia ' metal shoulder titles, 'Rising Sun' collar badges, colour patches of 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment AIF, ribbon bar for 39-45 Star, Pacific Star, British War Medal 39-45 and Australian Service medal 39-45. Overseas service chevrons on right sleeve.uniform, 2/8th armoured regiment, jackson

Geoffrey R Fink volunteered for military service in early 1940. He served initially with 3rd Division A.A.S.C. but was discharged as being in a reserved occupation at the Aircraft Production Commission. He resigned from the Commission and joined the AIF on 28 July 1941 and was allotted to 2/8th Armoured Regiment. He served with the regiment in New Guinea and on return to Australia was transferred to No 41 Landing Craft Company serving out the war in the South Pacific. Geoffrey Fink died 14 March 2008 aged 86 at Wangaratta Victoria.This object is a well provenance, in good condition and completeness, and is a fine example of the uniform worn by a soldier who served in the Second World War (1939-45) in an unusual combination of roles, armoured corps and water transport. Service dress winter jacket with 'Australia' metal shoulder titles, 'Rising Sun' collar badges, miniature 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment colour patches above Landing Craft Company colour patches. Overseas service chevron on right sleeve. Ribbon bar: 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, British War Medal 1939-45 and Australian Service Medal 1939-45. Jacket worn by VX60307 Trooper Geoffrey R Fink, 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment and 41st Landing Craft Company, WWII. uniform, metal, fink geoffrey r mr

This tunic was worn by Sir David Fairbairn KBE DFC when Honorary Colonel of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment 1981-83. Sir David served with 21st Light Horse prior to World War Two. During WWII he served with the Royal Australian Air Force flying Spitfires in Britain and Europe and later in the war, in the Pacific theatre. Following the war, he entered politics, holding the federal seat of Farrer from 1949-1975. He was Minister for Defence 1971-73. Sir David was Australian Ambassador to the Netherlands 1977-1980.This object is well provenanced, complete and representative uniform worn by an honorary colonel of the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment, a man who gave exemplary service as a serviceman, politician and diplomat.Service dress tunic, polyester summer, with yellow cord lanyard, officer badges of rank, 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles collar badges, silver Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) buttons, and pilot qualification badge (wings). Neck decoration Knight Commander of British Empire (KBE) (Civilian list) (replica); ribbon bar denoting: Order of the British Empire (Civil), Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 39-45 Star, Europe and Germany Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal 1939-45, British War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service Medal 1939-45, Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. uniform, fairbairn, vmr, raaf, honorary, ambassador, wwii, spitfire, world war two, parliament

VX 42774 Captain Robert (Bob) Fyffe, a grazier from Tocumwal, NSW, served with the Tocumwal troop of the 20th Light Horse prior to WWII (1939-46). He enlisted at the outbreak of war and served with the 9th Division Cavalry Regiment in North Africa. During the attack on Trig 22 on 17 July 1942 Captain Fyffe commanding a composite squadron manoeuvred his tanks to knock out machine guns and anti-tank guns enabling 2/32 Battalion to capture the objective. Captain Fyffe was awarded the Military Cross for his leadership and courage in the action. This was 9th Division Cavalry's first tank action of the war.Fine example of a uniform worn by a well known grazier and citizen soldier of the Tocumwal district, southern NSW, in both peace and war.Khaki wool serge officer's tunic with leather Sam Browne belt and revolver holster, and slouch hat with emu plumes and 20th Light Horse hat badge against red backing. Tunic has 20th Light Horse colour patches. overseas service chevrons and ribbon bar for Military Cross, 39-45 Star, Africa Star, Defence medal, British War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45; metal Australia shoulder titles captain's rank stars and Rising Sun collar badges. Uniform worn by Captain Robert Fyffe MC, 20th Light Horse and 6th Division Cavalry Regiment AIF.. uniform, fyffe robert captain mc, 20th light horse, 9th division cavalry regiment, military cross

Alexander Mitchell, grazier and citizen soldier of Thoona Victoria. Enlisted as a trooper in 8th Light Horse CMF 14 September 1893. Commissioned second lieutenant 8th LH 1 July 1908. Appointed Captain 13th Light Horse AIF 21 July 1915. Commanded B Squadron 13th LH at Gallipoli September - December 1915 and on Western Front July 1916 to May 1918. Seconded to 28th Infantry Battalion AIF western Front May - October 1918. Awarded DSO and MID. Following the war, served in CMF as commanding officer 8th LH and later 2nd Light Horse Brigade. Collection of medals and memorabilia of distinguished citizen soldier from northeast Victoria who served with both 8th and 13th Light Horse regiments in peace and war. These regiments make up the lineage of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles.Framed collection of medals and memorabilia of Colonel Alexander Mitchell DSO MID, VD, a grazier of Thoona Victoria. Display includes epaulette boards with Colonel's badges of rank; Ribbon bar and medals: Distinguished Service Order, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal with oak leaf, Volunteer Decoration; Rising Sun collar badge, 8th Light Horse collar badge, pair 13th Light Horse collar badges; facsimile of letter from General Birdwood dated 9 June congratulating Mitchell on the award of the DSO. Stained wooden frame with glass cover pane. 8th light horse, 2nd light horse brigade, 13th light horse, medal, mitchell

The British Army 14th/20th King's Hussars was affiliated with 20th Australian Light Horse Regiment [date ?] . This affiliation carried over to 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles in 1948 and is now maintained in the affiliation of the Queens Royal Hussars and 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse following various amalgamations and linkings.Rare example of a gift between British and Australian regiments.Metal figurine on a turned wooded base depicting an hussar. Wraparound inscribed plaque on base."Presented to 8th/13th Victoria (sic) Mounted Rifles by all ranks 14th/20th King's Hussars on the occasion of the presentation of our new Guidon / 12 June 1982"20th light horse, 8th/13th victorian mounted rifles, queens royal hussars, 14th/20th king's hussars

Rare recording containing music and fraternal messages between affiliated regiments in British and Australian Armies.Black vinyl long- playing microgroove disc with affiliation messages and musicOn both Sides 1 and 2 : "Affiliation messages by the Commanding Officer of the VIII King's Royal Irish Hussars and the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. Marches by the Regimental Bands".8/13 victorian mounted rifles, 8th king's royal irish hussars

The 8th Light Horse Regiment was engaged in the battle to capture Turkish defences in and around Beersheba in early November 1917 in conjunction with other Light Horse units and troops from the Imperial Camel Corps, British Yeomanry Division, New Mounted Rifles and 53 Welsh Division. The 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in September 1914 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander White and formed part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. The regiment served at Gallipoli where in a courageous but ill-fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 it suffered horrendous casualties including Lieutenant Colonel White. Rebuilt in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Maygar VC the regiment went on the serve throughout the Middle East Campaign. Colonel Maygar died of wounds at Beersheba when the regiment was attacked by enemy aircraft while waiting to follow up the successful charge of the 4th LH Brigade on 30 October 1917. The 8th Light Horse AIF was disbanded in 1919, but soon after re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse.Comparatively rare collection of photographs of 8th Light Horse (AIF) on operations in Egypt and Sinai 1916-1918.Black and White photograph of two-wheeled water cart drawn by donkey, also two mounted men who are wearing sun toppees and one has a rifle in rifle bucket."Captured Turkish water cart at Beersheba with British Yeomanry"beersheba, turkish, world war one, wwi, 8th, light horse

The 8th Light Horse Regiment was engaged in the battle to capture Turkish defences at Tel El Khuweifle 16 Kilometres north of Beersheba from 1 to 6 November 1917. Other units were drawn from Imperial Camel Corps, British Yeomanry Division, New Zealand Mounted Rifles and 53 Welsh Division. The 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in September 1914 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander White and formed part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. The regiment served at Gallipoli where in a courageous but ill-fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 it suffered horrendous casualties including Lieutenant Colonel White. Rebuilt in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Maygar VC the regiment went on the serve throughout the Middle East Campaign. Colonel Maygar died of wounds at Beersheba when the regiment was attacked by enemy aircraft while waiting to follow up the successful charge of the 4th LH Brigade on 30 October 1917. The 8th Light Horse AIF was disbanded in 1919, but soon after re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse.Part of a rare collection of photographs of 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF during WWI (1914-1918).Black and white photograph of two soldiers of the 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF wearing slouch hats and armed with rifles. They are near three figures wearing helmets lying on the ground, possibly men of the Imperial Camel Corps or British infantry. Below photograph "Stony desert landscape known as Khuweilfe ( Thirsty Ridge ), 8 miles north of Beersheba. Only had a little water hence the name",tel el khuweifle, 8th, light horse, world war one, wwi

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

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.

The first British designed and made Centurion tanks arrived in Australia in June 1952. The first tanks went to the 1st Armoured Regiment, but as more tanks became available armoured regiments of the Citizen Military Forces received replacements for their aging General Grant tanks. The Centurion was a great improvement on the Grant with a bigger gun and the ability to fire accurately while moving. Serving soldiers of regiments such as 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles were converted to the new tank and National Servicemen received full-time training while at Puckapunyal. In February 1968, C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment, equipped with Centurion tanks was sent to Vietnam. This tank No 169073 was one of the twenty tanks which served in Vietnam. There were many doubters about the likely usefulness of the Centurion in the jungle and paddy field environment of South Vietnam. How would this very large tank perform? No one needed to have worried. The tanks performed magnificently and were treasured by the infantry with whom they operated. ‘Tanks save lives’ was the catchcry. Several Reserve officers were attached to the Squadron in Vietnam including Colonel John Neale and Major Gordon Cole. Following the Australian withdrawal, the tanks were refurbished and issued to Army Reserve regiments for training. Our tank was allocated to 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. Together with the tanks came a crop of Regular Army Cadre staff and training reached a new peak. When the Centurion was superseded by the Leopard surplus vehicles were allocated to museums and regimental collections as trophy vehicles. Black and white photograph of Centurion Tank No. 169073 at Buna Barracks, Albury, home of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles 1988.centurion, tank, buna barracks, albury, vmr