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 coloured photograph of 8 Field Ambulance, Red Cross girls Janice Webb, Winsome Ayliffe and Jean Debelle, unpack, check and store supplies sent from Australia to be distributed to the wounded and sick Diggers in the hospital.8th field ambulance, janice webb (red cross), winsome ayliffe (red cross), jean debelle (red cross), red cross, gibbons collection catalogue, photograph, 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 coloured photograph of a combined "letter tape" back home to Australia for the 8 Field Ambulance Hospital Red Cross girls, Jean Debelle, Winsome Ayliffe and Janice Webb. These short tapes give the girls a feeling of being home to be able to talk to their family and friendsphotograph, 8 field ambulance hospital, red cross, jean debelle (red cross), winsome ayliffe (red cross), janice webb (red cross), gibbons collection catalogue, 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 colour photograph of 8 Field Ambulance Hospital Red Cross nurses, Janice Webb and Jean Debelle, doing the rounds with the wounded and sick Diggers.photograph, 8 field ambulance hospital, hospital, red cross, janice webb (red cross), jean debelle (red cross), nurses, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, diggers, wounded serviceman

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 colour photograph of Red Cross nurse Jean Debelle with Pte Mike Iredale, of Frankston in Victoria, during her hospital rounds at the 8 Field Ambulance Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam.photograph, jean debelle (red cross), pte mike iredale, 8 field ambulance hospital, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, red cross, 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 colour photograph of the Australian Logistic Support Base Officers Mess where 8 Field Ambulance Hospital Red Cross staff Winsome Ayliffe, Jean Debelle and Janice Webb take a break to revitalise for the afternoon.photograph, australian logistic support base, officers mess, 8 field ambulance hospital, red cross, winsome ayliffe (red cross), jean debelle (red cross), janice webb (red cross), gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war

Index, bibliography, ill, maps, p.302.non-fictionWorking as a journalist at the Adelaide Advertiser in 1966, Jean Debelle yearned to be involved in the biggest story of the decade - the Vietnam War. But only male journalists in Australia were being sent to cover the escalating conflict. Instead, she volunteered to work in Vietnam for the Red Cross to tend to the non-medical welfare of the sick and wounded ANZAC forces. Jean had planned to report on the war in spare moments - but there were none. For one year she lived in the spotlight: a young Australian woman among 5,000 men. This intimate personal account is told from the rare and compassionate perspective of a young woman living close to the battlefront. Jean tells of the resilience of the soldiers in the face of daily atrocities and of the international medical personnel fighting to save lives and to rebuild shattered bodies and minds. It is also the story of the Vietnamese, struggling to maintain not just their traditions but their very lives in the face of brutal hardship. With infectious humour, Jean tells of striving to be like a sister to the men when sex was in the very air they breathed. But she experienced stark terror when she faced a crazed gunman, had a close call in a minefield and was caught in the midst of a Vietnamese skirmish. Jean also offers an unvarnished look at the Australians' worst battle in Vietnam, Long Tan, and their worst landmine disaster. With unblinking candour, she writes of the harsh realisation that after nine months in Vietnam she had grown cold to the unrelenting horror of war. From diaries, letters and Red Cross reports, Jean Debelle Lamensdorf has researched and written a story not only of tragedy but also of hope and humour. It is a compelling adventure story - and one of love. vietnam war 1961-1975 – australian involvement, vietnam war 1961-1975 - red cross - women