Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection A black and white photograph of Children at the Catholic Orphanage, Vung Tau which was supported by the Medical Staff of the 1st Australian Field Hospital (1AFH), vung Tau. The Diggers and the nurses, in particular, did an outstanding job of maintaining the health and well being of the orphans. The hospital staff conducted regular medcaps and provided food and clothing sent from relatives and friends back home in Australia. From time to time the orphaned children were taken for a day at Back Beach behind the 1AFH area. The children ranged in age from new born babes to teenagers. Quite a number, who were fathered by "round eyed" servicemen, were abandoned at birth, by Vietnames Bar girsl, particularly those with "dark" skin.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, orphanage, gibbons collection catalogue, catholic orphanage, back beach, vietnamese children, vietnames bar girls, diggers, nurses, denis gibbons

Aerial photograph wall panel of 1 Aust Field Hospital Vung Tau, features layout and labelled building of hospital complex1 Australian Field Hospital Vung Tau South Vietnam1st australian field hospital

Red Stained wooden plaque with map of Vietnam, Crossed rifles, RAAMC Badge and presentation detailsPresented to 1 Aust FD Hosp Assoc by Dorothy Mellowship in memory of her late husband WO1 'Blue' Mellowship Vietnam 1970-71wo1 'blue' mellowship, 1st australian field hospital

History of 1 FD Hosp in SVN 1968 - 19711st australian field hospital

Coloured image taken from an Ektochrome slide by 4718859 Grantley Paze "Acute health effects from incorrect handling of insecticides etc. Image of bare chested soldier spraying a solution.Over one thousand Australian soldiers contracted malaria in Vietnam. M.A.P.W. "Acute health effects from incorrect handling and use of concentrated solutions such as insecticides can occur through contact, inhalation and ingestion"photograph, 1st australian field hospital, ektachrome slide

Coloured image taken from Ektochrome slide by 313138 Robert K Bell. Image of admissions and discharge book dated 19-10-68 - 26-10-68War has no boundaries and no time clock, it would happen whenever it wanted to. You only ever got short notice of a Dustoff comming in and would have to act swiftly to be ready. sometimes we were so busy with operations that they had to feed us one at a time and out of hot boxes, so you sat just outside the theatre in blood soaked gowns for five minutes whilst downing a meal.ektachrome slide, photograph, 1st australian field hospital

Coloured image taken from Ektochrome slide by 2786946 John McEwan. Group of Army Officers in a crowd of soldiers with Chaplain's CrossFrom my 'day book' Christmas Day 1970 - I quote. "About midnight, "chuck" Berry worn out, his second tour....caught me by surprise, standing in the door looking at me "I've had it" is all he said"ektachrome slide, 1st australian field hospital, photograph

Coloured image taken from Ektochrome slide by 1735354 Jeffrey Horne Tr Ray Howard 3792606 A Sqn Third Cavalry Regiment 1968 on stretcher being carried by medicMy memories are pretty hazy, but I remeber being in intensive care ward with 2 other diggers who were a lot worse off that I was, and I have often wondered if they made it. today, I am doing OK and want to thank you all for your wonderful care. You were a special mob and I have very fond memories of all who helped me. 1968 (estimate)photograph, 1st australian field hospital, ektachrome slide

Coloured image taken from Ektochrome slide by 139225 Lt. Col. Lawrence Parker. Thomas J. Byrne 1202827 seated with wounded Vietname childthere was no easing into the job at 1AFH, you had to slot into the system and take the pklace of the soldier you had replaced.ektachrome slide, 1st australian field hospital, photograph

Coloured image taken from Ektochrome slide by 139225 Lt. Col. Lawrence Parker. Thomas J. Byrne 1202827 seated with wounded Vietname childthere was no easing into the job at 1AFH, you had to slot into the system and take the pklace of the soldier you had replaced.ektachrome slide, 1st australian field hospital, photograph

Ektachrome slide image. Coloured image taken from a slide photographed by Barry Navin. Image depicts a building with sandbags, steps and sand in foreground. A sign sayiang "Welcome to Diggerrs Rest".Did I do a good job, Boss? "Yes, you did mate and let me tell you how proud and privilged I was to be the CO of such a magnificant team"ektachrome slide, photograph, 1st australian field hospital

Ektachrome slide image. Photograph of 7 soldiers unloading an army helicopter (a stretcher)I was a chopper crewman in vietnam 1971. I remeber bringing in a gadly bloodstained chopper for a multi-casualty ARVN minefield and you cleaned it up for me. that has stuck with me as I'd had enough that day. Thanks again.1st australian field hospital, arvn

Ektachrome slide image. Photograph of soldier talking on a radio awaiting arrival of casualities. Photograph taken by Rudi Evertsthe most impressing thing I remember was the good reaction of the unit on the information that a Dustoff was arriving. The theatre was manned, the triage occupied, and rostered personnel were standing by to move the patients from the chopper to the triage.1st australian field hospital

Ektachrome slide image. A compilation of Photograph of nurses (5), 6 nursing staff, pictured in various poses/occupations. Photographed by War Correspondent 1966-1970 Denis Gibbons & Rudi Everts.These nurses were compassionate in their attitudes towards solders after Vietnam, clearly able to see and understand the long-term effects of the horrors of war, compounded by the hostile and unsympathetic environment into which soldiers returned. (Estract from: "Stress wasn't a word" Australian nurses' recollections of ware related trauma.)1st australian field hospital, nurses - vietnam

Two men; one soldier and one Vietnamese man with hardly any front teeth. Shelves in background with instruments on them. Photographed by Robert Moffitt. Ektachrome slideTheatre staff, 8 Fd Ambulance are short of Dettol. Dental Unit has surplus of Dettol, however WO2 Geoff Andrews refuses to hand it over as the unit will be out of stock. 33DU OR;s one night empty the Dettol and replace it with water, Theatre staff thank 33DU OR's for their efforts8th field ambulance, 1st australian field hospital

Ektachrome slide. Photograph by Barry John Cairns of building with coffins stacked up beside the building.The surgean had almost finished repairing the visible abdominal damage when a blood vessel in the soldier's chest perforated catastrophically. He died on the treatre table. He was the only soldier they lost in theatre in the twelve months Jan was there. (Extract from "Our Vietnam Nurses" F35071 Janice McCarthy RAANC May 1968 - May 1969)1st australian field hospital, nurses - vietnam, raanc

Coloured image taken from Ektochrome slide by 3795720 Stephen Modrich. Picture of 3797302 Jerrery Edward Gilbert showering. December 1969 - December 1970Thanks Jeff for all your work in organising another great re-union. Well Done!1st australian field hospital

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Private Dave Henderson, a wounded forward scout from 8 RAR, as he contemplates the rolling surf at the Back Beach, near the 1st Australian Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam. Red Cross conducted daily trips to the beach. Pte Henderson suffered a severe leg wound, when shot by a NVA/VietCont, using an AK47 assult rifle.photograph, pte dave henderson, 8 rar, back beach, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, red cross, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, forward scout, nva/vietcont, ak 47

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of the kitchen at the1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam. Cooks from the Royal Australian Army Catering Corps prepare the evening meal for hospital staff and patients.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, royal australian catering corps, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, cooks

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Capt Shirley Southwell (RAANC) and her brother Capt Terry Southwell 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, snatch a few moments together as they watch the sick being loaded aboard ambulances for RAAF medivac C130 medivac transport to Australiaphotograph, 1st australian field hospital, raanc, nurse, capt shirley southwell, capt terry southwell, 5 rar, raaf, medivac, c130 medivac flight, gibbons collection catalogue, vung tau

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photogaph of Medic Cpl Peter Whittle at the1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam, checking the empty triage to see that all is in readiness for incoming casualties. The triage bays were always at peak readiness, 24 hours a day.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, medic, cpl peter whittle, gibbons collection catalogue, triage, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of a Medic with the Governor of NSW, Sir Roden Cutler VC after receiving his Military Medal at a cermony Government House NSW in 1971. The award was made for bravery while serving as a medic on a US dustoff helicopter.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, medic, sir roden cutler vc, military medal, dustoff helicopter, gibbons collection catalogue

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of staff and patients at the 1st Australian Field Hospita,l watch patients being medivaced loaded into ambulances for the journey to Vung Tau Military Airfield, to be loaded onto an Australian C130medical transport aircraft for the flight back Australia.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, raaf, c130 medivac flight, gibbons collection catalogue, medivac, vung tau airfield, diggers, medical staff, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph - Artists of the Feb-Mar 70 South Australian Concert Party Tamara Osypenko, Beverly Braidwood, Jury Osypenko and the Wills Sisters Anne and Susan, perform for the wounded and sick diggers at the1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau during the evening show.photograph, entertainers, south australian concert party, tamara osypenko, beverly braidwood, jury osypenko, wills sisters, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, gibbons collection catalogue, wounded serviceman, feb-mar 70 south australian concert party, anne wills, susan wills, diggers