The 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train (1st RANBT) was formed in Melbourne on 28 February 1915 and was intended to be a horse drawn engineering unit attached to the Royal Naval Division (RND), then serving as infantry on the Western Front. The term ‘train’, in its title, was a direct reference to the horse drawn wagons that would, in theory, form and move ‘in train’ to carry the unit’s heavy lumber, building materials and engineering equipment to the front. The unit was manned by members of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve for whom there were no available billets in seagoing RAN ships. Many of the sailors serving in the 1st RANBT were rated ‘drivers’, and again, this refers to wagon drivers as opposed to motor vehicle drivers. Other seamen were rated as ‘artificers’ or ‘sappers’, the latter being a military term traditionally used to describe army engineers. Appointed in command of the 1st RANBT was Lieutenant Commander Leighton Seymour Bracegirdle, RAN. Bracegirdle was ideally suited to command the unit, having seen active service with the NSW Naval Brigade during the Boxer Rebellion in China as well as serving as a military officer in the South African Irregular Horse during the Boer War in 1901. He had also recently returned from German New Guinea where he had served as a staff officer in the joint Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (ANMEF) responsible for the capture of the German colonies in the Pacific in September 1914. Three hundred naval reservists, including 50 men who had recently served in New Guinea, were selected for the 1st RANBT and they began their training in horsemanship, engineering and pontoon bridging at the Domain in Melbourne. By late May 1915 a decision was made to send the unit to Britain to complete its training and then to join the RND on the Western Front. The plan, however, never eventuated. The complaints about the non-combatant work being done by the men had been raised in Federal Parliament and following consultation with the senior Australian officer in the Middle East, Lieutenant General Sir Harry Chauvel, a recommendation was made that the unit be disbanded and its men used as reinforcements for the AIF. Consequently, Lieutenant Commander Bracegirdle was advised that his unit was to be dispersed; its men transferring to the AIF or being returned to Australia for discharge. On 27 March 1917 the 1st RANBT was officially disbanded.Oxidised brass anchor shaped collar badge.ww1, world war 1, first world war, ranbt, ran bridging train, royal australian navy bridging train, collar badge

Small tri-fold heavy card licence.Australian Military Forces. Army Driving Licence. No: 267320. #VX 88067 Rank Driver Mulcahy. Gordon William. Authorised to drive or operate many various vehicles. Dated 19/4/1942.

A E.R. Rowlands Soft Drink Delivery truck transports troops to Queenscliff for army training. The new recruits are yet to get their uniforms.e.r. rowlands, soldiers, vehicle, queenscliff, military

World War 1 training camp at Queenscliff. The photograph was taken by Mr J.J. Griffith. He was the manager of E.R. Rowlands Aerated Waters. Their vans were used by Ballarat Troops at the camp.military, queenscliff, army camp, world war 1, world war one, j.j. griffith, e.r. rowlands aerated waters, vehicle, ballarat

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. Alan Cunningham joined the regiment as a trooper in 1948 and went on to command the regiment as a Lieutenant Colonel 1962-65. The use of civilian vehicles was not uncommon inn early days of the regiment especially for activities such as radio training.Unique collection of photographs showing the first years of an armoured regiment of the post-Second World War era Citizen Military Forces showing equipment, uniforms, training and social activity and some personalities.Black and white photograph of T-model Ford utility vehicle and two soldiers. One of a collection of photographs of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment between 1948 and 1951." Alan Cunningham's Staff Car - Ron Braddy Bonnet, Alan Cunningham Driver"8th/13th victorian mounted rifles, cunningham alan lieutenant ciolonel, braddy ronald

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.Unique collection of photographs showing the first years of an armoured regiment of the post-Second World War era Citizen Military Forces showing equipment, uniforms, training and social activity and some personalities.Black and white photograph of Staghound Armoured Car bogged on side of road. Vehicle markings indicate negative has been printer in reverse. One of a collection of photographs of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment between 1948 and 1951." Staghound bogged "cmf, vmr, staghound, training

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.Unique collection of photographs showing the first years of an armoured regiment of the post-Second World War era Citizen Military Forces showing equipment, uniforms, training and social activity and some personalities.Black and white photograph of two soldiers standing beside civilian utility vehicle, one wearing a long sleeved khaki drill workdress uniform. Other has sleeves rolled up and is wearing web belt. Both are wearing berets.One of a collection of photographs of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment between 1948 and 1951." Sgt. Alan Vietch, Sgt. Kilty McKay"mckay, veitch, 8/13 vmr, military, uniform, nulla

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.Unique collection of photographs showing the first years of an armoured regiment of the post-Second World War era Citizen Military Forces showing equipment, uniforms, training and social activity and some personalities.Black and white photograph of four soldiers in variety of uniforms standing beside civilian utility vehicle. One is wearing winter service dress, one in khaki drill uniform, two are wearing V neck Army jumpers. One is wearing headphones, one haslength of radio aerial. One of a collection of photographs of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment between 1948 and 1951." Cunningham Alternative Command Vehicle. No. 1 Set Training. John Neale, George Atkinson, Bill Purcell, Ron Braddy. "

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.The 8th/13th Unique collection of photographs showing the first years of an armoured regiment of the post-Second World War era Citizen Military Forces showing equipment, uniforms, training and social activity and some personalities.Black and White photograph of soldier standing beside Staghound Armoured Car, wearing long sleeved khaki drill jackrt and trousers.beret and cravat. One of a collection of photographs of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment between 1948 and 1951." Tpr. Keith Neale "military, uniform, vmr, citizen soldier, staghound, armour, vehicle

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.The 8th/13th Unique collection of photographs showing the first years of an armoured regiment of the post-Second World War era Citizen Military Forces showing equipment, uniforms, training and social activity and some personalities.Black and white photograph of two soldiers in the cupola of a Staghound Armoured Car wearing khaki drill jackets and berets.. One has goggles on head. Triangle marking on cupola indicated vehicle belongs to A Squadron.. One of a collection of photographs of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment between 1948 and 1951." Tpr. Singe, Cpl. H. Slaney "

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. 6 Collection of six black and white photographs of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles in the Anzac Day parade at Albury 1964. Vehicles are Ferret and White Scout cars and Humber 1 Ton Trucks. Carrying guidon is Warrant Officer W. Woolford.military, anzac, albury, vmr, parade, vehicle, humber, white, ferret, guidon

Annual Camp 1968 was a Centurion Tank camp. Ferret scout cars were used for reconnaissance. 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 Ferret Scout Car Mark 1 at 8/13Victorian Mounted Rifles Annual Camp at Puckapunyal , 1968.military, vehicle, ferret, scout car

ARVs were allocated on basis 1 to each squadron of an armoured regiment for battlefield recovery.Black and white photograph of Centurion Armoured Recovery Vehicle ( ARV ) of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles on exercise at Puckapunyal, 1970." L.A.D. c/c Sgt. Faul, Dvr Cpl Ziebell" Two other crewmen not namedmilitary, tank, recovery, vmr, puckapunyal

Annual exercise 1970 was the penultimate conducted by 8/13 VMR in its role as a tank regiment. The phased introduction of M113 vehicles began.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 M577A1 Armoured Command Vehicle ( ACV ) of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles controlling a live shoot by Centurion tanks at Puckapunyal during annual camp 1970.military, tank, centurion, puckapunyal, vmr

1970 was the penultimate year of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles as a tank regiment. The introduction of M113 type vehicles had begun.Black and white photographs of three armoured vehicles of 8/13Victorian Mounted Rifles, 1970: Ferret Scout Car Mark 1: M577A1 Armoured Command Vehicle ( ACV ) and Centurion tank. Observers are sitting on top of vehicles.tank, scout car, ferret, centurion, puckapunyal, military, vmr

Puckapunyal was the only firing range for tanks in Victoria. M113 Light Reconnaisance Vehicle ( LEV ) training was also conducted on this camp. It was the last camp using Centurion tanks.Four black and white photographs of Centurion tanks of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles engaged in a range shoot at Puckapunyal during annual camp 1971.centurion, tank, gunnery, military, puckapunyal, vmr

In this exercise A Squadron 8/13 VMR operated under command of 2nd Cavalry Regiment. Trooper MacDonald later was commissioned as a Lieutenant commanding 2 Troop ( Cobram ).Colour photograph of soldier standing in front of M577 Armoured Command Vehicle ( ACV ) of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles during annual exercise in Ivanhoe NSW area, 1980. Trooper David Macdonald was the ACV driver.military, vehicle, soldier

In this exercise A Squadron 8/13 VMR operated under command 2nd Cavalry RegimentColour photograph of soldier standing beside M113 Armoured Command Vehicle ( ACV ) during 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles annual exercise in Ivanhoe NSW area, 1980. Lance Corporal Alister Barrie was a member of Squadron Headquarters Troop. military, vehicle, training, soldier, camouflage

In this exercise A Squadron 8/13 VMR operated under command 2 Cavalry Regiment. Major D. Hunter commanded A Squadron 1980-1982, then was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and posted as Staff Officer Grade 1 ( SO1 Armour ) on Headquarters 3rd Division.Colour photograph of officer standing beside camouflaged M113 Armoured Command Vehicle ( ACV ) during exercise in Ivanhoe NSW area, 1980. Major Doug Hunter was Officer Commanding A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.military, vehicle, training, soldier, camouflage, hunter, vmr, victorian mounted rifles, acv

Western plains of southern NSW provided good training areas for a unit practicing reconnaissance skills. Technical Support Troop provided first line repair and recovery to the reconnaissance squadron.Colour photograph of Sergeant Viv Schmidt, Technical Support Troop ( TST ) A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles standing beside a M 548 tracked load Carrier ( TLC ) on exercise near Balranald NSW.military, training, vehicle, vmr, victorian mounted rifles

Cobram depot was a base for regimental exercises in sothern NSW.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.Two colour photographs of soldiers surrounded by equipment and vehicles at 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles depot at Cobram Victoria.Soldier in photo 1 is Sergeant S. Laughton and soldier in photo 2 is Trooper M. Roberts.military, soldier, training, bullets, vmr

The vessels boiling electrical was used by soldiers of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles when it was equipped with Centurion tanks 1966-71. A boiling vessel fitted to British armoured fighting vehicles that permit the crew to heat water and cook food by drawing power from the vehicle electrical supply. It is often referred to by crewmembers (not entirely in jest) as the most important piece of equipment in a British armoured vehicle. The "Vessel Boiling Electric" or "BV" was an innovation at the very end of World War II, when the Centurion tank was introduced with the device fitted inside the turret. Previously, British tank crews had disembarked when they wanted to "brew-up" (make tea), using a petrol cooker improvised from empty fuel cans[4] called a "Tommy cooker". Use of the BV enabled the crew to stay safely inside the tank and reduced the time taken for breaks. The first version, known as VBE No 1, began to be replaced in the early 1950s by the stainless steel No 2 version. A VBE No 3 had improved electrical sockets and was less prone to leakage. The principal use of the BV is to heat ration pouches or tins; the hot water is then used for making drinks or washing. The BV is cuboid and accommodates four tins; typically matching the crew numbers of an armoured fighting vehicle. Ration tins are supplied without adhesive labels so the surrounding water is not contaminated. A vehicle with a defective BV is declared unfit for purpose. It is common practice for a junior member of a vehicle crew to be unofficially appointed "BV Commander", responsible for making hot drinks for the other soldiers. Example of article which improved efficiency and well-being of tank soldiers.Cilinderical metal vessel with close fitting lid, folding handle and electrical socket on side.military, tank, centurion, meals, boiling

Has a strong association with the work of the Royal South Street Society, who published a handbook/guide or manual for their competitions. Used a photograph published at about the same time.Set of 15 photocopies of pages from the Royal South Street Society Guide showing trams in Sturt St Ballarat. .1 - Sturt St Looking East - with an ESCo tram outside the town hall and other horse drawn vehicles - 1907 .2 - Sturt St Looking West - same image as in Reg item 2688 - 1907 .3 - Sturt St Looking East - with many vehicles and people - 1910 and the "Chef" kitch range stove advertisement sold by Middleton and Morris of Sturt St. .4 - Sturt and Lydiard St, with a tram turning from Sturt into Lydiard St, 1910 with the post office in the background - 1910 and an advertisement for Woderine medicine sold by Jas. A. Gear, herbalist. .5 - Sturt St looking West - tram turning from Sturt into Lydiard St, taken from near post office corner - 1911 and a advertisement for Williams the Shoeman. .6 - Sturt St. West - with an ESC0o tram outbound - the only vehicle - 1913. .7 - same photo as .3, with a Monster Military Carnival Advertisement for Nov. 8th - 1913 .8 - Sturt and Lydiard St from next to post office, looking west with two trams, one horse trailer and many people - a busy scene - 1914 .9 - Sebastopol tram No. 21 at Grenville St - 1928 - with the Ballarat Gas Company Show rooms in the background, the Sturt St shelter. The tram has a Suttons Organs roof advertisement. .10 - View of Sturt Street, showing City Hall Buildings, with an ESCo Sebastopol type tramcar crossing the street, taken from the post office stops. - 1928 - Advertisements for G. Ludbrook Furnishing Undertaker (Motor Service and Horse drawn vehicles) and R. Young Grocer. .11 - Sturt St looking West, looking west, with a Sebastopol type tram at Grenville St and the big shelter removed. Has many buildings and many people in the background - 1928. .12 - same photo as for .10 and Clarendon Presbyterian Ladies Collection, Ballarat photograph - 1929. .13 - Advertisement for Ballarat Tramways - cars for Coliseum, fare box, route numbers and route colour scheme - 1929. .14 - as for above, no date, but opposite is the is an item for the Mouth Organ Band Contest, "A" Grade - c1933, notes the Coburg Tramway Athletic Club Harmonica Band and the Malvern Tramways Harmonica band amongst the contestants. .15 - same as .9, with a advertisement for the Melbourne Coffee Palace - Bourke St. Photocopies made by Neville Hasket for the BTM 10/2008. See also Reg item 675 for alternative source details.Handwritten note on photocopiestrams, tramways, ballarat, sturt st., royal south street society, lydiard st, town hall, post office, esco

In 1960 seventy-four commandos from 2 Commando Company left Point Lonsdale at 6pm on February 17 to cross The Rip in an exercise raid on the Portsea officer school. Shortly after departing, a strong tide caught the raiding party and pushed them out to sea through The Rip, where 10-metre waves capsized many of the kayaks and amphibious vehicles. Many of the men were picked up by larger rescue boats, only to be overturned once again in the heavy seas. Warrant Officer George Drakopolous and the driver of his amphibious DUKW, Private Eddie Meyer, both drowned as their vehicle sank. Eight of the commandos were rescued in Bass Strait after being picked up by an Italian ship, the Toscana. Commando Roger Wood helped others board the Toscana safely but was washed off a rope ladder by a monster wave and into the sea. His body was never found. It remains one of Australia's least-known peacetime military tragedies.One of the later disasters around the Rip between Points Nepean and Lonsdale. The 'Queenscliffe' lifeboat turned out to search for survivors without success Paddles from a Mk3 foldaboat used in ill fated commando training exercise in 1960the rip disaster, kayaks, oars

J2. Used in Vietnam in Armoured Vehicles, Made by Racal England 1960equipment, vietnam, army

Used in Armoured Vehicles. Origin unknownequipment, vietnam, army

The remarkable story when 74 soldiers fought in vain to save the lives of their mates off Portsea as 3 soldiers died. Tragically, Privates Roger Wood and Edward Meyer, and Warrant Officer George "Taffy" Drakopoulos, died. Please Note: "The Rip" is also known as "The Heads", which is a dangerous stretch of water connecting Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait. This is the only entrance for all shipping into Port Phillip Bay and to and from the Port of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Kayak of a similar type as those used during the ill-fated army exercise with loss of life in the rip.rip disaster, commandos, kayak, military history - army