The first tunnel rats: this is the thrilling, hilarious and inspiring true story of a ragtag band of Aussie Army Engineers who redefined the word heroes...and reinvented larrikin to. Amongst the first Australians to fight in Vietnam, they faced death every day defusing Viet Cong booby traps - then partied all night in a casino they'd built in secret. They led hundreds of American troops to safety, but fought the US military police to a standstill in the bars of South Vietnam. They built the Australian Task Force's base - then sabotaged a headquarters conference, booby trapped showers and blew up a generator rather than kowtow to newly arrived officers.3 field troop royal australian engineers, cpl bob bowtell, tunnel rats, royal australian engineers, 1rar battalion, booby traps, viet cong, australian task force

The 34th Infantry Brigade was raised in Moratai and consisted of three Infantry Battalions. Namely the 65th / 66th /and 67th Battalions. On the 23rd November 1948 they became the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions. The Royal Australian Regiment became the key component of the new Australian Regular Army. The 34th Battalion 1RAR/ 2 RAR and 3 RAR saw service in WW11 in Korea and Vietnam.Gilded brass hat badge showing a round wattle wreath with "St Edwards" crown over a kangaroo and 2 crossed .303 rifles.Kangaroo and wattle are distinctly Australian - from the TAC signs of the parent units. Crossed rifles represents the infantry nature of the Regiment.

.1) The first medal on the left is the BEM. There are 9 clasps denoting overseas service and 3 clasps denoting Long Service. Francis William (Dinky) Dean enlisted in the 2nd AIF No VX93960 on 16.12.43 age 18 years. He went on to serve with the 2nd/2nd Pioneers in the islands ending up on Morotai at wars end. At the end of 1945 while still overseas 3 new Battalions were formed for service wth BCOF in Japan. They were the 65th, 66th and 67th Bn’s made up from 3 Aust Divisions 6th, 7th and 9th. Frank was one of the first to sign up in the 65th Bn with same Regt No. They moved to Japan in early 1946. While still in Japan in 1947 there was a period called the Interim Army while the 65th, 66th and 67th Bn’s were designated 1st, 2nd and 3rd Bn’s R.A.R, Aust Regular Army. His Regt No changed to 3742 and the 65th became the 1st Batt of the R.A.R. He then served with 1 RAR in Korea 7.4.52 to 28.2.53, 3.3.54 to 24.3.56. Malaya during the Emergency/ Confrontation Oct 1959 to Oct 1961. Vietnam 1.6.65 to 7.6. 66, 18.3.68 to 11.2.69. Malaya 1969-70. Frank was discharged from the Army on 19.12.1975 with the rank of Quarter Master Sergeant with a total of 32 years service. He was the longest serving member of 1 RAR, he had a final posting to RMC prior to discharge. BEM (British Empire Medal) For service in Korea. BCOF (British Commonwealth Occupation Force Japan) RAR ( Royal Australian Regiment) RMC (Royal Military College Duntroon) In 2004 Frank was the guest of honour at the new Coral Lines Lavarack Barracks Townsville, a street was named “Dean drive” after him. Frank passed away on 11.2.2005 age 79 years. .1) Medal set, miniatures, brass plate mounted, set of (16) re F.W Dean BEM. .2) Name badge - battalion badge for unit associations. Black plastic backing with pin, black name on gold background. .2) "Frank Dean 1RAR"numismatics, medals, military, badges, metalcraft

Framed photograph of Major MacDonald as he is greeted by a Vietnamese woman after being presented with a garland during the welcoming ceremony for the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR). Gia Dinh Province, Saigon. June 1965. refer AWM collection < http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/DNE/65/0024/VN/ >

Gold frame, blue matt board. with two replica medals, one hat badge, one infantry combat badge and one US Armt Meritorious Unit Commendation badge. the document outlining operational service during 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR) in vietnam 1965 - 66 and Vietnam 1968 - 69.1 rar, document, 1st battalion

Photograph of a Soldier in Jungle Greens sitting on his backpack reading a comic.soldier, photograph, down time, 1st battalion, royal australian regiment, bien hoa province, 1rar, us 173rd airborne brigade

To Long Tan conforms the well-earned reputation of Australian official histories for candour, critical analysis, and breadth of coverage.australia. army. foreign service - vietnam, vietnam - armed forces, bien hoa, 173rd airborne brigade, 1rar, 161, 161 field battery, phuoc tuy, vung tau, nui, nui dat, binh ba, d445 battalion (nva/vietcong)

To Long Tan conforms the well-earned reputation of Australian official histories for candour, critical analysis, and breadth of coverage.australia. army. foreign service - vietnam, vietnam - armed forces, bien hoa, 1rar, 173rd airborne brigade, 161 field battery, phuoc tuy, vung tau, nui, nui dat, d445 battalion (nva/vietcong), binh, binh ba

Slouch had belonging to Brigadier Lowen. Brig Lowen served in 2/5 Australian Infantry Battalion in WW2 Slouch had belonging to Brigadier Lowen. Brig Lowden served in 2/5 Australian Infantry Battalion in WW2 Hat, Khaki Fur Felt ( slouch hat) with brim down, soft bash and green ( 1RAR) pugaree with no colour patch. The pugaree had a staff officers bullion badge sewn to the front. Bullion badge has a gold lion atop of a gold and red crown on a black backing The hat has a brown leather chin strap and redish brown leather sweat band on the inside Made by "Fayrefield" Melbourne 7 1/8 19695/6rvr, bhq, brig lowen, 2/5th bn

1 RAR plaque made of light wood, the RAR badge is in the centre of the blue symbol, the metal plate on the top has the writing "presented to 5/6 RVR SGT's Mess By 1RAR SGT's Mess"