On 23 April, the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Ferguson, and the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, occupied prominent hills on either side of the seven-kilometre-wide valley, where a small tributary joined the Kapyong River. Also forward were headquarters units, tanks and artillery. The 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, were to the rear. Early in the evening, retreating South Koreans streamed past the Commonwealth position, with Chinese forces closely intermingled. Soon afterwards a platoon of American tanks supporting 3 RAR was overrun. The Kapyong valley was too large an area to defend with the forces available, and the brigade was spread very thinly. Throughout the night the Chinese repeatedly pressed the Australian positions, attacking in waves over their own dead and wounded. At dawn, A Company, under the command of Major Bernard "Ben" O'Dowd, found that the Chinese had infiltrated its position, but a counter-attack was able to eject them. Meanwhile B Company, which had spent the night on a hill near the riiver, discovered Chinese occupying some old bunkers on a small knoll. Hand-to-hand fighting ensued with grenades and bayonets. C Company, under the command of Captain Reg Saunders, was in position to reinforce both A and B Companies. "Major O'Dowd then directed the radio operator to contact anyone. The American 1st Marine Division answered but their operator refused to believe who our operator was speaking for. Major O'Dowd took the phone and demanded to speak to the commanding officer. The general in charge of the [Marine] division came on the phone and told O'Dowd we didn't exist as we had been wiped out the night before. Major O'Dowd said, 'I've got news for you, we are still here and we are staying here.'" Private Patrick Knowles, 3 RAR, on the morning of 24 April 1951 Fighting continued throughout the day with the Australians holding their positions, and the Chinese also engaging D Company. But late on 24 April, with their position now untenable, the Australians were forced into a fighting withdrawal down a ridge to the valley, where they rejoined the brigade. Their withdrawal was supported by New Zealand artillery from the 16th Field Regiment. Having found the Canadian position unassailable, the Chinese made no further attacks. By the afternoon of 25 April the road through to the Canadians had been cleared of Chinese and 2 PPCLI was relieved by US Army units. On Anzac Day 1951, the Australians rested after a long fight. Thirty-two Australians were killed and 53 were wounded for their part in stalling the Chinese advance and preventing Seoul from falling into enemy hands. Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Ferguson was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his skilful leadership, and the Australian and Canadian battalions both received United States Presidential Distinguished Unit Citations for their part in the battle. http://www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/korea/operations/kapyong/Print of painting of action in Kapyong Korea in wooden frame under glassDonated by Frank Arnold on behalf of Korean Veterans Association of Australia inc.korea, kapyong, 3rar

Vietnam War Troops of the 1st Australian Armoured Regiment during a briefing at Vung Tau In 1967, the Royal Australian Armoured Corps' (RAAC), 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) Squadron transferred to "A" Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment Vietnam. Although they successfully conducted combat operations in their areas of operation(s) (AOs), reports from the field stated that their light-armour (M-113 ACAVs) were unable to force their way through dense jungle[15] limiting their offensive actions against enemy forces. The Australian government, under criticism from Parliament, decided to send a Squadron of Australian Centurion tanks to South Vietnam.[15] The 84 mm-gunned[16] Australian Centurions of 'C' Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment landed in the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) on 24 February 1968, and were headquartered at Nui Dat in III Corps (MR3).[17] 52 Ton main battle TankARN Number 169090 and tacsign 106tank armoured vietnam centurion mbt

Photo donated by John Smith ex 1 Armoured Regiment SVN, 1969-1970 Drawn from A Duty Done: A summary of operations by the Royal Australian Regiment in the Vietnam War 1965-1972 by Lieutenant Colonel Fred Fairhead (Rtd) (2012) p.487Summary of Infantry Operations 1965-1972. Text superimposed on colour photo of infantry soldiers on operations with APC. See media file for more information.Photo donated by John Smith ex 1 Armoured Regiment SVN, 1969-1970 Drawn from A Duty Done: A summary of operations by the Royal Australian Regiment in the Vietnam War 1965-1972 by Lieutenant Colonel Fred Fairhead (Rtd) (2012) p.487infantry, d company, 4th battalion, the royal australian regiment, 4rar, hmas sydney, cambodian border, ham tan, long hai hills, operations hump, ho bob woods, operation crimp, 5rar, 6rar, nui thi vai, nui dinh mountains, operations vaucluse, operation queanbeyan, d445 battalion (nva/vietcong), operation hobart, battle of long tan, operation bribie, operation coburg, operation lavarack, operation camden, operation overlord, operation ivanhoe, fire support base - coral, 1rar, centurion tank, anti personnel mines, m16 landmines, 1st australian task force, route 44, operation renmark, 8rar, operation hammersley, operations reynella, operation mundingburra, tet offensive, a company, 3rar, operation nowra, binh ba, operation goodwood, hat dich, operation marsden, may tao base, operation bondi, operation pinnaroo, minh dam secret zone, operation birdwood, operation nathan, operation cung chung, 2 rar/nz, 7rar, operation valiant, operation south ward, capt maurice frederick fairhead, lt col maurice frederick fairhead, 57064, royal australian infantry corps, 6th battalion

Standard issue item of uniform, worn by Sergeant Trevor J Nicholson, who served in Royal Australian Armoured Corps, C Squadron and B Squadron 1st Armoured Regiment, 1969-70, Vietnam. Black beret/ Silver badge insignia of Royal Australian Armoured Regiment showing a wreath, flags, crown and tank.Australiablack beret, silver armoured corp badge, trevor john nicholson, trevor nicholson, nicholson, t nicholson, beret, armoured, 4410261

Part of the estate collection of Sergeant Trevor J Nicholson, who served in Royal Australian Armoured Corps, C Squadron and B Squadron 1st Armoured Regiment, 1969-70, Vietnam.A wooden plaque with green, red, black and silver insignia of a crown, tank, boomerang and crossed banners of armoured corps displayed. Australia/Paratusvietnam, t nicholson, plaque, 1st armoured, nicholson, armoured corps, shield, trevor nicholson, 4410261

Plaque Presented to WO2 Trevor Nicholson, Service no. 4410261who served in Royal Australian Armoured Corps, C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment from 19 Jan 1969 until 10 Feb 1969, and B Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment from 11 Feb 1969 until 07 Jan 1970. Part of his estate collection as donated to NVVM.Wooden Plaque with silver metal insignia of 1st armoured regiment/metal insignia of crown, tank, boomerang and crossed banners and dedication plaque1st Armoured Regiment/ Australia / Paratus / Presented to / Nick / Nui Dat / 19691st armoured regiment, paratus, 4410261 wo2 trevor nicholson., nicholson, t nicholson, shield, trevor nicholson, 4410261, armoured

Part of the estate collection of Sergeant Trevor J Nicholson, who served in Royal Australian Armoured Corps, C Squadron and B Squadron 1st Armoured Regiment, 1969-70, Vietnam.Wooden Plaque with beaten copper artwork of a Leopard Tank and presentation plaque belowLEOPARD Presented to/ WO2 Nicko Nicholson/ From Staff of D&S wing/ Armoured Centre/ Nov 81leopard tank, armoured centre, 4410261 wo2 trevor nicholson., trevor nicholson, shield, t nicholson, armoured, plaque

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 Diggers of 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conducting Operation Goodwood move out with Centurian tank support from 1st Armoured Regiment, during this, the dry season. Operations with the tanks was a hot and very dusty affair.photograph, 1 rar, 1st armoured regiment, operation goodwood, centurion tank, gibbons collection catalogue, 1st battalion, diggers, 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 Huey "Slick" helicopter from 9 Squadron,n RAAF delivers its re-supply to a Centurian Tank of 1st Armoured Regiment during Operation Matilda, The fully armoured operation conducted through three provinces in South Vietnam by 1st ATF east of Saigonphotograph, 9 sqn, raaf, huey helicopter, 1st armoured regiment, centurion tank, operation matilda, gibbons collection catalogue, 1 atf, 9 squadron, us army slick helicopter, royal australian air force, 1st australian task force, saigon, denis gibbons

Trooper James Kelly Kerr was killed on 13 May 1969 when the tank he was driving hit a land mine. He was 19 years old. James served in Royal Australian Armoured Corps, B Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment from 02 Apr 1969 until 13 May 1969.Series of 16 black and white photographs of Dodge funeral vehicle and gun carriage carrying the coffin of James Kelly Kerr attended by the bearer party, and funeral at cemeteryphotograph, funeral procession, james kelly kerr, kerr, funeral, 1st armoured

Trooper James Kelly Kerr was killed on 13 May 1969 when the tank he was driving hit a land mine. He was 19 years old. James served in Royal Australian Armoured Corps, B Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment from 02 Apr 1969 until 13 May 1969.Black and White photograph of the funeral party and coffin from rear. Funeral of James Kelly Kerrphotograph, funeral procession, james kelly kerr, armoured corps, kerr

Trooper James Kelly Kerr was killed on 13 May 1969 when the tank he was driving hit a land mine. He was 19 years old. James served in Royal Australian Armoured Corps, B Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment from 02 Apr 1969 until 13 May 1969.Black and white photograph of the Funeral Guard with weapons for the funeral of James Kelly Kerrphotograph, funeral procession, james kelly kerr, kerr, funeral, armoured corps

This item was donated by Pte Thomas Robert Loughridge (3791468) who did National Service with the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. He served in Vietnam with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment from March 1968 to Feb 1969.A Copy of Thomas Loughridge's account of his time in the Vietnam War. See media files for more information.pte thomas robert loughridge, 3791468, australian national serviceman, royal australian infantry corps, 1st battalion, the royal australian regiment, document, conscription, puckapunyal, infantry training, singleton, 6 rar, holsworthy, 1 rar, canungra, shoal water bay, hmas sydney, m60 machine gun, nui dat, kangaroo pad, fire support base - coral, saigon, phuoc tuy province, tet offensive, b company, killed in action, wounded in action, "dust off", centurion tanks, 3 rar, viet cong killed, vung tau ferry, malaria, welcome home parade 1987, pte bevan maxwell trimble, 3791291, coral/balmoral, anzac

In the period 5-20 March 1988, ‘A’ Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles participated in an exercise conducted at Puckapunyal by 4th Infantry Brigade (Reserve) codenamed ‘Fiery Cauldron’. Other units participating included 5th/6th Battalion and 8th/7th Battalion Royal Victorian Regiment, 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment and 1st Armoured Regiment. The training focussed on armoured/infantry cooperation, in particular the use of armoured personnel carriers. Two black and white photographs of Leopard Main Battle tank during Exercise " Fiery Cauldron " Puckapunyal." Leopard Tank on the move" and Leopard tank giving support, March 1988."