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

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 Dibb Report into mainland defence of Australia,1986, among other things identified the requirement for protection of key assets in Northern Australia and the possibility of involving Army Reserve (Ares) units in this thus releasing regular forces for offensive operations. Dibb also pointed out that this defined role would result in a huge lift in Ares morale. In June 1988, the 3rd Division (3Div) conducted a Tactical Exercise without Troops (TEWT), Exercise ‘Distant Trumpet’ in the Katherine- Darwin area to study problems associated with defence against low level incursions against Tindal RAAF Base. Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ followed in October of that year when units of the 3Div including A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles sent patrol groups to get a first taste of environment and conditions. Post-Exercise reports had to include recommendations re: health, equipment and adaptation of Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) in preparation for the new role deploying to Northern Australia. The first deployment by 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles was in 1988. Deployments continued in following years. In September 1993, 3 Troop (Wangaratta) VMR Squadron 4/19 PWLH commanded by Captain Kelvin Robertson deployed to NT. The training began with airfield defence at Tindal followed by a 1000km recon into Arnhem Land in four Landrovers. The troop reported on the conditions of the roads, airfields, bridges (mainly causeways) resources such as fuel supplies in the towns and infrastructure. Each troop taking different route. 3 Troop had the Northern route through Kakadu National park across the East Alligator River to Oenpelli then to Maningrida and Ramangining and south to the Central Arnhem Road and back to Tindal Air force Base. Colour photograph of five soldiers and three vehicles of VMR Squadron,4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse on roadside during annual exercise in Northern Territory 1994.military, vehicles, soldiers, northern territory, training, 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

Army driving licence No. 71896 issued to Anderson Sydney Ernest. Date: 10/06/1943. Vehicle type: trucks and testing officer coursemilitary, world war 2

Army driving licence issued to Anderson Sydney Ernest. Licence No. 34276 dated 22/07/1941, for class I and class II vehicles.military, world war 2

This version of a crewman's overall replaced two earlier versions of the garment, one black in colour and the second green. This version dispensed with the internal over-the-shoulder braces. Replaced in 1990s by garment in disruptive pattern material.Representative of uniform worn by tank crewmen in period 1972-89.Green tank suit worn by crewmen of armoured fighting vehicles in 1970s; five patch pockets, one with slots for pencils. Full length front zip fastener.tank suit, uniform, military, tank

13th (Gippsland) Light Horse Regiment was a unit of the Citizen Military Forces or Militia with its Headquarters in Sale Victoria and depots throughout Gippsland. The regiment in 1939 was still horse mounted but converted to armoured vehicles soon after becoming the 13th Armoured Regiment.Fine example of a document setting out the program of parades and training obligations for a citizen soldier in the immediate pre-Second World War period.White three fold card being Programme of Parades for Half-Year ending 31st dec 1939 for 13th (Gippsland0 Light Horse Regiment, 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division. Commanding Officer Lieut Col WG Hopkins13th light horse, gippsland, hopkins wg lieutenant colonel, parade card

Training Officers were regular army officers posted to Citizen Military Forces regiments such as 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles for training and administrative purposes. The practice was beneficial to CMF units and young ARA officers who gained a broader range of experience.Representative of methods of fostering excellence in citizen soldiers.Wooden shield with 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles badge at top centre and plastic plates attached giving details of the purpose of the trophy and recording winners. Competition was for Best Vehicle Crew and was presented 1984, 85 & 86, then 1990, 91, 92.Training Officer's Shield / Donated by Capt D M Cameron / Trg Offr Dec 1982-Dec 1984military, competition, ara, cmf, vehicle, crewman

Black and white photograph of two RAEME officers inspecting a vehicle towing frame. At right Lieutenant Jim Farrelly 8/13 VMR Workshop Commander.military, vmr, raeme, towing

On 1 April 1991, ‘A’ Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles linked with 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment to form a new regiment of two squadrons: VMR Squadron and PWLH Squadron. The 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse title was retained, but the VMR Squadron continued to wear the VMR hat badge.Colour photograph of the armoured vehicles of VMR Squadron 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse at Puckapunyal during camp September 1992.military, vmr, puckapunyal, m113, training

On 1 April 1991, ‘A’ Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles linked with 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment to form a new regiment of two squadrons: VMR Squadron and PWLH Squadron. The 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse title was retained, but the VMR Squadron continued to wear the VMR hat badge.lack and white photograph of six soldiers of VMR Squadron 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse with M113 Fire Support Vehicle (FSV) at Puckapunyal, September 1992.military, vmr, puckapunyal, pwlh

The .30 caliber Browning Machine gun was the basic machine gun of US forces and became more common in British and Australian armoured when US tanks were adopted.Representative of US training manuals in WW11.Natural coloured covered booklet " War Department Basic FIELD Manual Browning Machine Gun Caliber .30 HB M1919A4 ( mounted in Combat Vehicles ) August 12, 1942."military, world war two, wwii, us, machine gun

8th/13th VMR was equipped with M113 family of vehicles in 1970s - 1990s. Cp.G.Wynd was a cadre staff member training armoured fighting vehicle ( AFV ) crewmen M113A1 Instruction handbookSoft covered booklet with fabric binding strip " Royal Australian Armoured Corps Volume 3 - Armanent Pamphlet No.4 Fire Support Vehicle M113A1 ( FS ) 1971."" Cpl Wynd " on front covermilitary, tank, fsv, gun, vmr

Army Reserve regiments were responsible for their own recruiting in 1970sShows recruiting activity involving the community of which regiment was part.Black and White photograph of 8/13 VMR soldier in turret of M 113 Armoured Personnel Carrier with boy in civilian dress wearing headphones." Trooper McKechnie Recruiting Drive."military, vmr, recruiting, pr

8/13 VMR conducted numerous weekend training exercises in Chiltern Forest, Victoria.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.Coloured photograph of vehicle of 8/13 VMR Technical Support Troop ( RAEME) camouflaged on exercise in Chiltern Forest. Standing on running board is Craftsman Ben Niuwerth.vmr, military, training, chiltern

The Fire Support Vehicle mounted a 76mm gun and added greatly to the fire power of a cavalry troop.Colour photograph of 3 crewmen on M113A1 Fire Support Vehicle ( FSV ) during 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Annual camp at Puckapunyal 1986. Crew are from left: Corporal Ramsdale, Corporal RAC McDonald and Sergeant King.fire support, vmr, military, training, puckapunyal

Battle runs were a live firing exercise designed to test capability of all members of Fighting Vehicle crew.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.Colour photograph of M 113 A1 Fire Support Vehicle about to begin battle run during ' A ' squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Annual Camp 1986 at Puckapunyal.fsv, vmr, armour, puckapunyal, training, military

While many recruits could already drive when they joined 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles it took many hours of instruction and training before they were licenced to drive heavier, more complex army vehicles both on and off road and under combat conditions.Members of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) were posted to Army Reserve units in the 1980s and 1990s. They were rarely posted to Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) but were invaluable in the A1 Echelon driving fuel, ammunition, ration and water supply vehicles. Shows citizen soldiers on weekend training.Colour photograph of 4 soldiers of ' A ' Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles at a road side break during a driving exercise, 1986. From left : Corporal M. Roberts, Private T. Roche, Corporal Tewson and Trooper Bowerman.military, citizen soldiers, vmr, uniform