8RAR plaque presented by 8RAR members..Evidence of 8RAR members in the Sub Branch; text engraved by hand.Wooden plaque, mahogany in color with brass engraving plate towards bottom of the plaque and with a prominent brass Royal Australian Regiment symbol centrally mounted on the plaque.Presented to the DViets by its 8RAR members.vietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, 8rar

A pictorial representation of the 18 troops Killed In Action on the 1969-1970 Tour of 8th Royal Australian Regiment.Especially significant to balance of members of 8RAR, 1969-1970 but additionally to all Vietnam Veterans and families.Poster, Rectangular, includes: 18 caracatures of troops of 8RAR 1969-1970 KIAEighth Battalion Royal Australian Regiment VIETNAM 1969 to 1970. From an original oil painting (c) Derek Walshvietnam, vietnam war, diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch

A letter written by 8RAR soldier in Vietnam to "Dear De" outlining events about an incident with the detonation of a mine, number killed and injured. The writer states he was not involved in the incident as he was serving at the fire support base, not the battle front.An envelope and a two paged letter written on Australian Forces Vietnam letterhead paper, dated Sunday 1st March. The envelope is addressed to Mis D Maschette and the letter starts off with "Dear De". It is written in blue ink. The envelope has a red and blue striped border with the "Air Mail" symbol in the top left hand corner. A map of Vietnam is located under the air mail symbol. Australian Force Vietnam Coat of arms header/ Blue ink/ 8RAR/ Air Mailletter, wayne maschette, aust. force vietnam, sig pl, suppt co, 8rar

Newspaper article headed "Ready for anything". Photo taken shortly after 8RAR arrived in Vietnam. *RAR were relieving 9RAR.Photo of troop carrier transporting 8RAR in convoy with another truck in the background. Local people going in the opposite direction on the same road. Many soldiers are carrying rifles sitting back to back facing outward in the open air truck.Ready for anything.convoy, newspaper, 8rar, truck, locals on bikes on side of road, guns in hand-ready for anything

This duffel bag was used during the Vietnam war by National Serviceman Private Wayne Edward Maschette, Army number: 5716538, who served in 8RAR, 1969-70, Long green canvas bag with a large white painted label. Brown stencilled printing of name and number of soldier. Brown, blue and yellow stripes and a picture of kangaroo on left hand side. Base of bag is covered in white paint with a black strip through the middle. Eight corroded metal rivets at the top of the bag where cord to close it would go.Front- 1023 5716538 PTE W.E. Maschette. Back- 8RAR E NOGGERA. His name and 5716538 all marked in texta. duffel bag, 8rar, army issue, bag, maschette, vietnam war, kit bag

This item commemorates the war in Vietnam (1962-1972)Wooden plaque 8RAR Bar and V111 Royal Australian Regiment - duty first with the Crown and Kangaroo with crossed rifles.Royal Australian Regiment/Duty First/3796008/CA Jamesvietnam, ca james, 8rar

A letter written by Pte Wayne Maschette 8RAR to his family while he serving in Vietnam. A four page hand written letter to family back home on Wednesday 14th..... The letter is written on standard issue Australian Force Vietnam letterhead paper. The letter starts with "Dear De & Dennis" Air mail/Australian Force Vietnam/Mr. & Mrs. D. Williams 8rar, maschette, letter & envelope, aust. force vietnam, w.a., 5716538

Operation Hammersley , 10 February until 9 March 1970, was undertaken by a combined force of: C Company, 8th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (8RAR); armoured personnel carriers from 3 Cavalry Regiment; tanks from 1 Armoured Regiment; sappers from the Royal Australian Engineers; a mortar section from 8RAR’s Support Company; air support, and even a Navy destroyer off-shore to provide gunfire support. The operation aimed to protect 17 Construction Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers, at a quarry in the western foothills of the Long Hai hills. The Long Hai hills were a stronghold for the Viet Cong, who used the caves there as a bunker complex and had planted many landmines and booby traps in the area. Over two fierce weeks, 8 RAR carried out patrols and conducted ambushes, engaging VC troops and eventually capturing the bunker system. However, it was a costly campaign. In total, over 70 Australians were killed or wounded during the operation. The worst day for mine casualties in Australia's war in Vietnam occurred on 28 February 1970. It became known as 'Black Saturday". Nine members of 8RAR were killed and 29 wounded. This item is the Order of Service from the memorial service held at Nui Dat on 3 April 1970 to honour those killed at Long Hai. It was issued to the donor, National Serviceman G G Ravenscroft, who was serving in 1 Platoon, A Company 8RAR during Operation Hammersley, and received a minor shrapnel wound on Black Saturday.Two typed A-4 pages that have been folded into booklet, now flattened and framed. Listed are the prayers, Bible readings and sermon given, along with the names of the 8 fallen soldiers, and the chaplains who officiated.8rar, long hai, long hai hills, black saturday, 1970, operation hammersley, ravenscroft, geoff ravenscroft, memorial service

Unopened green bottle commemorating presentation of new colours to the battalion of 8 RAR and 9 RAR8th/9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Commemorative Tawny Port bottled on the occasion of the presentation of new colours to 8RAR and 9RAR 31st October 19898 rar, 9 rar, commemorative port

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 Contact, contact, Contact, late afternoon, platoon strength, North West of 1ATF, Operation Atherton, 10 December 1969, 1 Platoon, A Company, 8RAR, Pte Graeme C Piltz goes to ground under fire from heavy machine gun, automatic weapon, rifle and RPG firephotograph, pte graeme c piltz, 8 rar, gibbons collection catalogue, 1 atf, operation atherton, 1 platoon, a company, denis gibbons

This discharge certificate was issued to National Serviceman Glen Anthony (Tony) McKenzie, Service Number 3797419, who served in 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit 28 May 1970 until 25 Jun 1970, and 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment 26 Jun 1970 until 12 Nov 1970.Brown covered Certificate of Discharge. Australian Military Forces. Reg No. P110634. Army No. 3297419. Glen Anthony McKenzie 1/10/69 - 28/10/71discharge, mckenzie glen, 8rar

This paybook was issued to Glen Anthony (Tony) McKenzie, Service Number 3797419, who served in 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit 28 May 1970 until 25 Jun 1970, and 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment 26 Jun 1970 until 12 Nov 1970.Brown Covered Soldier's Paybook. Army No. 3797419 McKenzie Glen Anthony issued 1/10/69 Photograph ID on back cover.paybook, mckenzie glen, 8rar

This vaccination certificate was issued to National Serviceman Glen Anthony (Tony) McKenzie, Service Number 3797419, who served in 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit, 28 May 1970 until 25 Jun 1970, and 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, 26 Jun 1970 until 12 Nov 1970.WHO International Certificates of Vaccination. Issued to 3797419 McKenzievaccination certificate, mckenzie, 8rar

This piece of equipment was issued to Glen Anthony (Tony) McKenzie, Service Number 3797419, who served in 1 Australian Reinforcement Unit 28 May 1970 until 25 Jun 1970, and 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment 26 Jun 1970 until 12 Nov 1970.Well worn brown canvas bag with No. 3797419 Pte McKenzie written in red on top front and 1973 and AMF on other side, yellow V line ticket on handle to Numurkah.kit bag, pte mckenzie, 8rar, bag, luggage

The Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation was conferred by General Cao Van Vien, Chief of the Joint General Staff, Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam on 24 October 1970, and officially presented to the 8th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment by Lieutenant General Do Cao Tri, Commander of II Corps and Military Region 3 Vietnam on 29th October 1970. The citation was awarded for "always displaying high morale while co-operating and assisting the Vietnamese people in their struggle against Communism and to defend peace and freedom .. in Military Region III ... Though fighting under the most difficult conditions, the members of the 8th Battalion, 1st Australian Task Force still fought bravely and determinedly and had many glorious victories. Their most remarkable military operations took place in the area of the Long Hai hills... (They also participated ) ... in the civic action programme to assist the local population ( in Military Region 3) to reconstruct their houses, roads, bridges, markets and schools etc. ... thereby bringing great credit to the Royal Australian Armed Forces."2 X paper documents, one in English the other in Vietnamese (mounted with white matt in timber frame). Each has been printed with a decorative blue border, main text in black, official stamp in bottom right corner is red. A blue medal with red and yellow ribbon is printed in centre top of both documents.Republic of Vietnam/ Gallantry Cross/Chief of the General Staff? Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam/ Army Meritorious Commendation/ The 8th Battalion, 1st Australian Task Force/ For the gallantry they displayed under enemy fire./ This Meritorious Commendation ((GALLANTRY CROSS)) is added with (a) palm (leaf)./KBC day 24 month 10 Year 19708rar, koo, arthur koo, citation, gallantry cross, gallantry cross with palm

Christmas card supplied by 8 RAR for soldiers to send to family and friends.Christmas card with RAR V111 in gold embossed with Australian emblem on grey textured paper mounted on cream colored card. Inside there is a picture of the RAR emblem on white brick structure in front of a building. Hand written message to family in blue ink. Black ink message for Christmas.Blue ink "To mum, Dad, Robyn and Rex / Bill Black type " Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year from" / 8th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment.rar issue, maschette, 8rar, private, 5716538, christmas card, 8 rar, correspondence

In 1967, Brigadier Stuart Graham issued the calamitous order: First Australian Task Force would construct an 11 kilometre 'barrier fence and minefield' containing over 20,000 powerful M16 landmines in Phuoc Tuy Province, Southern Vietnam. The purpose of the 'barrier' was to separate and to shield the majority of the population in the south-west province from his enemy's regular forces in the north and east.australia. army. australian task force (vietnam), land mines -- phuoc tuy (vietnam : province), 8rar, 8 rar, operation hammersley, m16 landmines, brigadier stuart graham, operation pinaroo, operation leeton

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 Adelaide Street Brisbane 12/11/1970. Diggers of 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment march through the City of Brisbane through a paper streamer welcome, past the City Hall, while Sioux Helicopters fly overheadphotograph, brisbane parade, 8rar, gibbons collection catalogue, sioux (helicopter), 8th battalion, royal australian regiment, 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 Platoon strength contact in the late afternoon NW of 1ATF 'Operation Atherton' 10/12/1969. 1 Platoon, A Coy 8 RAR Pte Robinson begins his ascent to the dustoff helicopter watched by the Diggers below.photograph, 1 atf, operation atherton, 1 platoon, a coy, 8rar, dustoff, digger, gibbons collection catalogue, pte robinson, 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 Adelaide Street Brisbane 12/11/1970. Diggers of 8th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment led by their Commanding Officer, Lt Col K.J. O'Neill DSO march through the City of Brisbane, through a paper streamer welcome past the City Hallphotograph, brisbane parade, 8rar, lt col o'neill, gibbons collection catalogue, 8th battalion, royal australian regiment, dso, distinguished service order, commanding officer, diggers, denis gibbons

Black Saturday explosion by rocket mines in Sth Vietnam. Vung Tau and Nui Dat hospitals involved in helping the wounded soldiers. Australian and US helicopters in action. 8 RAR and 6RAR involved.A sepia coloured newspaper article from the Herald, dated March 2 1970, has an image of 13 local Vietnamese people working in paddy fields with five rifles nearby stacked up forming a cone shape. Herald Sun March 2nd 1970/ Guns at harvest/ Battle to save hurt diggers. guns, harvest, mine explosion, black saturday, long hai mountains, helicopter evacuation, 11 dead, 29 wounded, jumping mines, 8rar & 6rar