non-fictionThis book tells the stories and encounters of Reg Morley who ran Albury-Wodonga's first private security service for 12 years from 1958. Sworn in by Albury Police Inspector Jack Burke as a Special Constable, Mr. Morley started out his business with barely enough clients to make a living. Eventually it became a great success, and he sold the business in 1970 to Metropolitan Security Services. The stories are accompanied by Border Morning Mail clippings of events.border security albury-wodonga, crime albury wodonga, border patrol, reg morley

Harry Rand (driver) in Palm Ford T police car 1922. This is the first "Night Patrol" car.police vehicles; palm ford t; motor police branch; transport

Khaki and Green is a summary of the scope of the activities of the Australian soldiers since last they related their experiences, in book form. To their homeland. It speaks of desert and jungle epitomising the two major regions of the campaign in which Australians have participated since October 1942 - the overthrow of Rommel's forces at El Alamein and the smashing of the Chinese in Papua.Collection of servicemen recounts, poems and cartoons from World War 2Faded light green hardcover front and back with title in centre symmetrical green and back lettering (shadowed) With the Australian Army at home and overseas. Text is repeated on spine of book. Front and back inside pages has an illustrations of a kit bag and it's contents and text - Palestine, United Kingdom, Egypt, Libya, Greece, Crete, Eritrea, Cyprus, Syria, Siam, Malaya, Java, Ambon, Ceylon, China, New Britain, Ocean islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Solomon's, Papua, Timor, Dutch New Guinea. Photos, illustrations, cartoons, poems. There are three copies held at the Lara RSL Sub Branch.To the memory of fallen comrades ‘They gave their lives. For the public gift they received a praise which never ages and a tomb most glorious – not so much the tomb in which they lie, but that in which their fame survives, to be remembered forever when occasion comes for word or dead…. ‘ blaney, aif, 6th and 7th division, poetry, middle east, south west pacific, darwin, nassau bay, kokoda, rats of moresby, bullybeef, night patrol, jungle fighters, prisoners of war, world war 2, ww2

In a black and silver frame is a black and white photograph of a solder carrying his won on night patrol. There is another soldier behind him vietnam war, photograph, soldier

Earliest known photo of the Victoria Police vehicle fleet. Shows the prison van, Hotchkiss CIB car, the Palm Night Patrol car and various motor cycle outfits. Taken in 1921.Ford T prison van, Hotchkiss Tourer, Palm Tourer, four Coventry Eagle motorcycles with side cars, two Triumph motorcycles. Circa 1921police vehicles; wireless patrol; motor transport branch; motor transport section; police motorcycles; ford t prison van; hotchkiss tourer car; palm tourer car

An article from the Melbourne Legacy Bulletin on the death of Legatee Brian Armstrong, a long serving Legatee and past president (1937). He was one of the founding group of Legatees, being enrolled in 1924, and served for 54 years. The Bulletin often published articles on Legatees when they passed away. John Henry Brian Armstrong was born 23 June 1894 and completed a law degree at Melbourne University. He served with the militia when at University and tried to enlist in December 1915. He was accepted into the Army Medical Corps in April 1916. He served in France and Belgium as a Lieutenant with 22 Infantry Battalion and was wounded near Dernacourt on 24th April 1918. He was wounded again and taken prisoner at Herleville, France on 18 August 1918 when leading a night patrol in an action in which the majority of the party were killed. For a number of years Brian was a Trustee of the Frances Ormond Estate, which was the genesis of The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). Along with Legatee Jim Gillespie (and Jim's grandfather) the trustees were identified with all the notable developments of RMIT. He remained a bachelor his whole life. He was one of the initial archivists of Melbourne Legacy. One of his speeches in 1961 gives an insight into why he became a Legatee. (see 02502)A record of the life and service of Legatee Brian Armstrong.Copy of 2 pages from the Legacy Bulletin on the death of Legatee Brian Armstrong in 1978.Bulletin No. VAW 2429. 19.9.1978. Pages 1 to 2.vale, past presidents, brian armstrong

An article from the Melbourne Legacy Bulletin of a Past Presidents' Day speech by Legatee Brian Armstrong, a long serving Legatee and past president (1937). It is poignant for it's insight into what he saw on the Western Front, in particular around Pozieres and the Windmill that had stood there and was destroyed in battle. He had recently visited France and recalled his personal feelings. “I have no doubt that each one of you had some special memory of war that is bound up with your membership of Legacy – some event, place or happening. This was one of mine – you will find the story in a book we all know ‘There goes a man’, a story of endurance, determination and incredible courage. The feeling came to me as I stood in that little enclosure that here began the long road that led to Legacy, for in the middle of that holocaust was the Victorian Brigade from which later came the first man of Legacy. I am certain that many splendid men, some of whom were my friends, whose last sight was that battered windmill, would, had the finger of fate but pointed another way, been original members of this Club. A question seemed to hang in the still air – not for me, for I was only a cypher, but for all of us for whom, in those or later years, the finger had pointed to ‘LIFE’ – what have you done to merit and repay your deliverance from this and similar ordeals." He was one of the founding group of Legatees, being enrolled in 1924, and served for 54 years. The Bulletin often published articles recounting the speech from the week before. John Henry Brian Armstrong was born 23 June 1894 and completed a law degree at Melbourne University. He served with the militia when at University and tried to enlist in December 1915. He was accepted into the Army Medical Corps in April 1916. He served in France and Belgium as a Lieutenant with 22 Infantry Battalion and was wounded near Dernacourt on 24th April 1918. He was wounded again and taken prisoner at Herleville, France on 18 August 1918 when leading a night patrol in an action in which the majority of the party were killed. For a number of years Brian was a Trustee of the Frances Ormond Estate, which was the genesis of The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). Along with Legatee Jim Gillespie (and Jim's grandfather) the trustees were identified with all the notable developments of RMIT. He remained a bachelor his whole life. He was one of the initial archivists of Melbourne Legacy. One of his speeches in 1961 gives an insight into why he became a Legatee. (see 02501)A record a speech that contained insight into the life of Legatee Brian Armstrong.Copy of 2 pages from the Legacy Bulletin on a speech by Legatee Brian Armstrong in 1961.Bulletin 28/02/1961. Pages 5 to 6.vale, past presidents, brian armstrong

Thursday, December 15, 1949, the quiet little bank was embroiled in an infamous wild shoot-out between a daring thief and two bank officers. Today, the building still carries the scars ; a bullet hole remains visible in a cedar bench testifying to the events that played out that day. 3.30 a.m., Friday, December 9. The manager of the Commercial Bank branch at Greensborough, Mr Harry Wallace and his wife are asleep in their bedroom of the little house behind the branch. Harry is awakened by a noise and sees an intruder in a corner of the bedroom. He calls out but the intruder who has switched off the power in anticipation flees through a side door and scarpers down Main Street. Harry summons the police but a search by First Constable Thomas of the Greensborough Police assisted by a wireless patrol car is unsuccessful. A report is filed noting the theft of a .25 calibre pistol from the wardrobe. Thursday, December 15th. It is 1pm and the Commercial Bank has just opened. The branch is only open Mondays and Thursdays from 1-3pm. The morning started off a little cool with some scattered showers but it has fined up and the temperature is now around 61 degrees (16 C). A new grey Singer sports car with soft-top pulls up on the opposite side of the road and a young man, neatly dressed in a dark blue suit, wearing a grey hat and carrying a brief case exits the vehicle. He looks around then crosses the road and walks up the steps and through the door into the bank. There are three people inside; Mr. Jack Burgoyne whose grocery store is situated just 50 yards up the road, Mr. Lindsay A. Spears, the Eltham Agency Receiving Officer and by chance, Mr Harry Wallace, manager of the Greensborough branch. Jack Burgoyne takes note of the young stranger; thinking to himself he appears nervous. The man approaches the counter and introduces himself as John Henderson of Greensborough and explains that he wishes to open a new account. He places his hat and £3 on the counter. Mr Spears attends to the paperwork. He asks the young man to sign two forms, which he does but then he withdraws from the counter and starts walking towards the door. Suddenly he spins around pulling an automatic pistol from his right-hand pocket. He exclaims forcefully; “The game’s on! I’ll take the lot!” Spears appears to comply by pretending to open a drawer. The man shouts loudly, “Keep your hand away from that drawer.” Spears instead reaches for a pistol in his pocket and challenges the man, “Here it is. Come and get it!” At the same time, Harry Wallace pulls a pistol from his pocket as well. The bandit fires a shot but misses, the bullet striking the counter. Both Spears and Wallace open fire and Jack Burgoyne ducks for cover. As the bandit turns and runs for the door leaving his £3 behind, he fires another shot, which strikes the ceiling. Spears fires back, and thinks he may have hit him in the foot. The bandit flees the bank and heads for the grey Singer car, registration NO-106, parked opposite. Wallace and Spears pursue him to the door and open fire again, striking the car three times around the driver’s door. Spears lets off eight shots and Wallace, seven before his gun jams. The getaway car initially heads slowly down Main Road towards Bridge Street. About 100 yards down the road, Dave Adams, a PMG employee, who has heard the shots, throws a steel manhole step at the driver. It hits the roof of the car nine inches above the driver’s head and tears the hood. Another witness claims to have seen the door blow open and the driver raise his hand. The car gathers speed and swings left into Bridge Street racing along at about 60 miles an hour careering recklessly past council employee, Mr. Percy Williams, who is driving a dray along Smarts Road [believed to be Bridge Street]. At the end of the road the Singer fails to get round the sharp turn and crashes into an embankment skidding to a stop outside the home of Mr John Clifford. One side of the car is wrecked. Mr Clifford, an aircraft engineer hears the fast travelling car bump heavily into the road bank at about 1.25 p.m. Hearing the whine of an engine he goes outside to find the grey Singer parked at the side of the road. Jack George also lives at the corner and hears the car crash. “The bandit opened the car door, ran 50 yards, and suddenly turned back,” exclaims Jack. “He took something from the car. It might have been a gun.” In his haste, the bandit drops his grey felt hat, size 6 7/8, on the road and dashes up Sherbourne Road for about 200 yards then disappears into the scrub carrying a brief case and a bundle in which a sailor’s cap can be seen. About 3 p.m., Mr H.D. Pettie of Mountain View Road, Montmorency is looking through his field glasses and notices a young man walking through thick scrub on private property some distance from his house. The man is wearing a sailor’s cap and disappears along the railway track toward Montmorency. As the day progresses, ten police cars, one motor cycle, and about 40 police led by Det. Sgt. McMennemin of Malvern CIB are searching for him. They believe he is hiding in thick scrub along the bank of the creek about half-a-mile outside Eltham township. Wireless patrol cars, four mobile traffic cars and the CIB area cars from Malvern and Kew are taking part. Police check the thief’s car and discover it was stolen from Helen Baxter, of Doncaster Road, North Balwyn from outside Victoria Barracks. Harry Wallace informs the police that he believes he recognised the bandit as the man who took his pistol from his bedroom the previous Friday morning. As night falls, armed police are posted at strategic points in the Eltham-Greensborough district. Police in cars are watching the roads. Others are searching the bush and checking passengers on trains. Little do they realise the young man has already slipped out of the net. SEQUEL YOUTH OF 19 CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY OF BANK AT ELTHAM Weekly Times, Wednesday 15 February 1950, page 6 Detectives who raided a house in Bell St., Coburg, Melbourne, charged a 19-year-old youth, of South Yarra, with attempted armed robbery at the Commercial Bank’s Eltham (Vic.) receiving depot on Dec. 15. Police say they recovered a loaded automatic pistol, diamond and signet rings worth more than £200, a complete set of house-breaking instruments, a sailor’s uniform, and chloroform gauze in the raid. The youth was charged that while armed with an offensive weapon, he attempted to rob Lindsay George Spears of a sum of money. He was further charged on six counts of breaking, entering and stealing. Police allege that the person who tried to hold up Mr Spears in the Commercial Bank receiving depot at Eltham on December 15. escaped in a stolen car, after Mr Spears and Mr Henry Wallace, manager of the bank’s Greensborough branch, had fired at him. After the car crashed, he escaped into thick scrub and is alleged to have changed into a sailor’s uniform. On December 9 an automatic pistol was stolen from Mr Wallace’s bedroom at the Greensborough bank. The chloroform pad recovered is alleged to have been stolen from the Dental Supply Company, Plenty Road, Preston. The rings are alleged to have been taken in a £513 burglary from the shop of James Paton. Sydney Road, Coburg. Det. Sgt. H. McMennemin conducted the investigations with Senior Dets. R. Newton and M Downie, Detectives l. Dent, R. Rayner, P. Pedersen and M. Handley and First Constable A. Thomas. The youth will appear at Eltham Court on February 22. Manager’s Gun Used in Holdup at Bank The Age, Thursday 23 February 1950, page 4 It was stated in Eltham court yesterday that a youth who robbed a bank manager of his pistol, later used it in an attempt to hold-up the bank. Kay Arthur Morgan, 19, draftsman, of Castle-street, South Yarra, was committed for trial on charges of breaking and entering, and stealing a pistol and attempted robbery while armed with an offensive weapon. He pleaded guilty. The manager of Eltham branch of the Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd., Henry Clifton Cabot Wallace, said he disturbed someone in the bedroom, in which he and his wife were sleeping, at 3 a.m. on December. 9, 1949. Later he found that his automatic- pistol was missing. On December 15 a youth, who said his name was John Henderson, entered the bank and opened a new account. As the youth was leaving the bank he turned round with a pistol in his hand and said: — “I want the lot.” Spear indicated a drawer under the counter; and said.— “Here it is. Come and get it.” The youth said:— “Keep your hand away from that drawer.” Witness said Spear then drew his pistol from his hip pocket. The youth fired at them, and Spear returned the fire. “I pulled my pistol and fired, too” said witness. The youth fired again, ran out to a car and drove off. Witness and Spear fired several shots at the car. The youth was the accused Morgan, sitting in court, witness said. Evidence was given that one bullet was found in the celling and the other in the bank. Morgan was allowed £100 bail on each charge. Morgan ended up serving three years for the failed armed robbery and became a notorious criminal. He had twin sons, Peter and Doug and even though only ten years old, Morgan would get his sons to act as lookouts whilst he committed burglaries. The lads became building contractors but when the industry suffered a downturn in 1977 and they were short on cash, they returned to the family business. Over the following 23 months they undertook 24 raids on country and outer-suburban TABs and banks. Whilst robbing one country bank for the third time, just like their father, it all went wrong ending up with a police officer shot. They were nick-named the “After-dark” bandits and are considered to be Australia’s last bushrangers. They were convicted and served 17 years in prison.5 x A4 photocopied pagesbank hold-up, cba bank, det sgt mcmennemin, eltham, h.d. pettie, harry wallace, jack burgoyne, kay arthur morgan, lindsay a. spears, main road

A group of police women taken in the 1950s at the St Kilda Road Police Depot. Third from the right, standing, is Gwenyth Elva Carr, born at Glenhuntly on 19 July 1917. Elva led the first women's Street Patrol in the uniform they designed themselves. The first patrol was on the night of 13 January 1948 when they arrested a woman for being drunk and disorderly.A group of police women in the 1950s taken in front of the Police Depot in St Kilda Rd.police women, women's police auxiliary force, bates, kathleen mabel 11125, carr, gwenyth elva 9835, lenthall, dorothy 11244, williamson, irene may 11657, police woman, policewomen, policewoman

Four men getting out of a Studebaker Lark, registration number HNM-107, at night.police vehicles; wireless patrol; motor transport branch; studebaker lark car

Studebaker Lark Wireless Patrol car registration number HVN-707 at night with headlights on. There is a driver and a passenger in the vehicle. Circa 1963police vehicles; wireless patrol; motor transport branch; motor transport section; studebaker lark car

Front/side view of Studebaker Lark Wireless Patrol car registration number HVN-707 at night with headlights on. There is a driver and passenger in the vehicle. Circa 1963police vehicles; wireless patrol; motor transport branch; motor transport section; studebaker lark car

Studebaker at night, registration number HYN-707Studebaker V8 Wireless Patrol carpolice vehicles; wireless patrol; motor transport branch; motor transport section; studebaker lark car

A Wireless Patrol car and crewFont view of Studebaker, registration number HVN-707, being driven at night by an unidentified driver with an unidentified passenger. Circa 1963police vehicles; wireless patrol; motor transport branch; motor transport section; studebaker car

Motor Cycle Traffic Police Football Club Smoke Night, with a row of seated men on either side of two long tables as well as a third row of men standing on the outside of the tables. All men are dressed in suits. The wall in the background reads "Past Grand Masters". Circa 1936police vehicles; wireless patrol; motor transport branch; motor transport section; motor cycle patrol; motor cycle traffic police; police football club

The image is taken from the painting, by Gavin Ireland, ' Get Down... Fire! Battle of Fire Support Base Coral' . The phrase ' Get Down' references the direct orders shouted by Norden's platoon commander (Lt David Jensen). The print depicts in colour, a 105mm gun firing at the enemy, on the night of the 13 May 1968, when Fire Support Patrol Base Coral, faced its first attack. The print displays many of the signatures of the Veterans who were present at this attack.Large print of Battle', explosions, mortars and rockets. Thirteen soldiers visible in foreground. print of original painting by Gavin Ireland. There are many names and signatures at the bottom of the print as well as an account of the battle in black ink. This is a print of the by Gavin Ireland named Get Down Fire!Get Down...Fire! 13th may 1968. Battle of Fire Support Base Coral. There are many hand written signatures of personnel who were present at the attack.gavin ireland, 13th may 1968, battle of fire support base coral, vietnam, gavin ireland print, lt ian francis ahearn, 235307, royal regiment of australian artillery, 12th field regiment, pte gerald anthony ireland, 1202058, royal australian infantry corps, 1 australian reinforcement unit, 5th battalion, 7th battalion, the royal australian regiment

An Poster, Information Board of 5 RAR 1966 to 1967 (tst Tour). The 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment ("Battalion") were the leading element of the First Australian Task Force (1 ATF) and stationed in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. The Battalion's task was to break Viet Cong control over the central region of Phuoc Tuy Province - an area that communists had freely operated in since 1945. Commencing of the 24th May 1966, the Battalion conducted its first operation codenamed "Hardihood". Their objective was to sweep and clear areas to the north and east of Nui Dat to a distance of 5000 meters, then create a defensive position to enable 1 ATF to establish an operation base. The Battalion conducted eighteen full-lenght operations as well as numerous day and night cordon and search, search and destroy, ambush and clearing patrols conducted at company, platoon and section levels. the Battalion achieved considerable success during Operations Canberra and Queanbeyan in October 1966 when it swept and cleared the Nui Thi Vai mountain. A Viet Cong base consisting of training facilities, a hospital, booby trap factory and several tonnes of rice was located and destroyed. during phase two (Operation Queanbeyan) the battalion discovered complex cave and tunnel systems along with other fixed installations that were vigorously fought for and destroyed by the battalion. Not only di the caves contain large quantities of weapons, equipment and documents but the 274 VC Regiments deputy commanders radio complex. For bravery and leadership, three Military Crosses, one Military Medal and one Mentioned in Dispatches were awarded. The last was awarded posthumously. However, at the completion of the battalion's first tour, the 274 and 275 Viet Cong Regiments remained functional. While the enemy retained the capacity to inflict serious casualities on smaller allied forces, the Battalion and other elements of the 1 AFt were successful in denying the enemy their previous gains. This enabled the South Vietnamese Government to re-establish control of over 96 per cent of the Phuoc Tuy Province during Australia's involvement. Source O'Neill, RJ Vietnam Task, the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment 1966/67, Melbourne. Cassell Australia Ltd, 19685 rar, 1st tour 1966 - 1967, operation hardihood, 1st atf base, poster, information board, nui dat, nui thai vai mountains, operation canberra, operation queanbeyan, viet cong, 274 vc regiments, military cross, bravery, military medal, mention in dispatches, capt robert john o'neill, 335113, royal australian infantry corps, 5th battalion, the royal australian regiment

Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)Coloured image of John (Jed) White, aged 26 arriving at Tan Son Nhut Airport in full uniform, bag straps over left shoulder. Close- up of chest and head with plane visible in the background.AWM - p 11058,001capt john (jed) white, aattv, battle of ngok tavak

Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)Coloured image of 7 soldiers (5 shirtless) posed on the edge of a foxhole with jungle in background. L-R Willie Swicegood (USA), John White (AATTV-Aus), Ken Benway (USA), Frank Lucas (Aust), Clay Aitkins (USA), Glenn Miller (USA), Don Cameron (Aust)john white, aattv, battle of ngok tavak

Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)Black framed glass covered flag. Red material with gold fringe, gold writing with Blackbird in the centre with parachute holding 2 white swords standing on a gold star. 11Co. in gold underneath. Gold plaque mounted under the flag.GUIDON OF 11 COY (NUNG) MOBILE STRIKE FORCE (MIKE FORCE) /5th SF GROUP, 1 CORPS, SVN/ A Significant number of AATTV personnel served with this Nung Company based in Da Nang./ At the end of the Vietnam War, this flag was taken by a former US SF officer and held until/ when it was given to former Captain John "Jed" White (AATTV), CO 11 Coy (Nung), who led/ the MIKE Forces at the Battle of Ngok Tavak on 10 May 1968.battle of ngok tavak, mobile strike force, nung, john white

Captain John E D White, Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV) took over command of 11 Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) Company in Da Nang, Vietnam, in February 1968. He was 26 years old. The 2 NVA Division was moving from Laos into South Vietnam and his mission was to establish contact with the division and trace its movements south. In mid-March the company was air lifted to the Special Forces camp of Kham Duc, near the Laotian border. They used an old French Foreign Legion fort as a temporary base from which patrols could be sent out. White called it Ngok Tavak after a nearby mountain. Initially, patrols failed to find the enemy, but in late April a patrol clashed with the enemy. At the same time, White received intelligence that the NVA division was closing in. At night they could hear explosions in the distance heading toward them. White decided their best chance was to leave the fort and take to the jungle to adopt guerrilla tactics. However, in the meantime a platoon of United States Marine Corps artillery arrived bringing with them two howitzers and a stockpile of ammunition. To abandon the fort was to abandon the guns. White contacted Da Nang, explaining the predicament, and was ordered to remain where he was. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) platoon was sent to reinforce his numbers. This was a para military force comprised mainly of indigenous highlanders, trained by United States Special Forces. They also brought with them two mortars and their crews. At 3.15am on 10 May 1968 some members of the CIDG chose to assist the NVA to attack the fort instead of supporting Mike Force, and close hand to hand fighting followed, along with grenade attacks and heavy machine gun fire. Air support offered a brief respite from the NVA attack, and some NVA forces were pushed back outside the perimeter by counter attacks, but at 9am White contacted Da Nang to advise that his position was untenable. A second attack was imminent and they could not withstand it, so they would have to withdraw. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter (under orders from Major Mai, the NVA had not attacked the previous medical helicopters that collected the wounded under the cover of air strikes) and at 1pm the rest of the force evacuated east, into the jungle. The NVA did not notice their withdrawal, and continued mortar attacks on the fort for another ninety minutes. Seven kilometres from the fort White called for a helicopter withdrawal of his forces. The force was successfully lifted to Kham Duc and then Da Nang. (Credit AWM)A wooden shield painted grey/black celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Ngok Tavak. There are three messages from mates written in black on the back. The shield was presented to Capt John (Jed) White.Presented to Captain John White, AATTV from the men of the Mobile Strike Force, Danang, Vietnam, 1968.mobile strike force, capt john (jed) white, shield, battle of ngok tavak

This RAAF dress uniform and other associated article of clothing was owned by Walter Alexander Scott. Joined RAF December 1940 to be trained as a pilot, he got his wings December 1941, became a night fighter pilot after OTU and posted to 219 Squadron. Was posted to 603 Squadron December 1942 flying Beaufighters on coastal command convoy escorts, desert patrols, supporting Sicilian and Italian invasions (all from the N.African desert, then on Greek Island " Armed Rovers" until 10 November 1943, just at the end of ops, when he was shot down in the Aegean Sea and became a POW the next day 11 November 1943. Transferred to Germany he was in Stalag IVB for 3 months, before exchanging ID with an Irish soldier ,in order to get out of the main camp into a working sub-camp in order to escape. Post war Walter returned to Australia, he became "Citizen of the Year" in Werribee 1992 for his service to the community. In 1993 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to youth and to the retired.CGCF ( Commonwealth Government Clothing Factory)

This RAAF dress uniform and other associated article of clothing was owned by Walter Alexander Scott. Joined RAF December 1940 to be trained as a pilot, he got his wings December 1941, became a night fighter pilot after OTU and posted to 219 Squadron. Was posted to 603 Squadron December 1942 flying Beaufighters on coastal command convoy escorts, desert patrols, supporting Sicilian and Italian invasions (all from the N.African desert, then on Greek Island " Armed Rovers" until 10 November 1943, just at the end of ops, when he was shot down in the Aegean Sea and became a POW the next day 11 November 1943. Transferred to Germany he was in Stalag IVB for 3 months, before exchanging ID with an Irish soldier ,in order to get out of the main camp into a working sub-camp in order to escape. Post war Walter returned to Australia, he became "Citizen of the Year" in Werribee 1992 for his service to the community. In 1993 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to youth and to the retired.

This RAAF dress uniform and other associated article of clothing was owned by Walter Alexander Scott. Joined RAF December 1940 to be trained as a pilot, he got his wings December 1941, became a night fighter pilot after OTU and posted to 219 Squadron. Was posted to 603 Squadron December 1942 flying Beaufighters on coastal command convoy escorts, desert patrols, supporting Sicilian and Italian invasions (all from the N.African desert, then on Greek Island " Armed Rovers" until 10 November 1943, just at the end of ops, when he was shot down in the Aegean Sea and became a POW the next day 11 November 1943. Transferred to Germany he was in Stalag IVB for 3 months, before exchanging ID with an Irish soldier ,in order to get out of the main camp into a working sub-camp in order to escape. Post war Walter returned to Australia, he became "Citizen of the Year" in Werribee 1992 for his service to the community. In 1993 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to youth and to the retired.

This RAAF dress uniform and other associated article of clothing was owned by Walter Alexander Scott. Joined RAF December 1940 to be trained as a pilot, he got his wings December 1941, became a night fighter pilot after OTU and posted to 219 Squadron. Was posted to 603 Squadron December 1942 flying Beaufighters on coastal command convoy escorts, desert patrols, supporting Sicilian and Italian invasions (all from the N.African desert, then on Greek Island " Armed Rovers" until 10 November 1943, just at the end of ops, when he was shot down in the Aegean Sea and became a POW the next day 11 November 1943. Transferred to Germany he was in Stalag IVB for 3 months, before exchanging ID with an Irish soldier ,in order to get out of the main camp into a working sub-camp in order to escape. Post war Walter returned to Australia, he became "Citizen of the Year" in Werribee 1992 for his service to the community. In 1993 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to youth and to the retired.

This RAAF dress uniform and other associated article of clothing was owned by Walter Alexander Scott. Joined RAF December 1940 to be trained as a pilot, he got his wings December 1941, became a night fighter pilot after OTU and posted to 219 Squadron. Was posted to 603 Squadron December 1942 flying Beaufighters on coastal command convoy escorts, desert patrols, supporting Sicilian and Italian invasions (all from the N.African desert, then on Greek Island " Armed Rovers" until 10 November 1943, just at the end of ops, when he was shot down in the Aegean Sea and became a POW the next day 11 November 1943. Transferred to Germany he was in Stalag IVB for 3 months, before exchanging ID with an Irish soldier ,in order to get out of the main camp into a working sub-camp in order to escape. Post war Walter returned to Australia, he became "Citizen of the Year" in Werribee 1992 for his service to the community. In 1993 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to youth and to the retired. Manufactured by Benson & Clegg London

This RAAF dress uniform and other associated article of clothing was owned by Walter Alexander Scott. Joined RAF December 1940 to be trained as a pilot, he got his wings December 1941, became a night fighter pilot after OTU and posted to 219 Squadron. Was posted to 603 Squadron December 1942 flying Beaufighters on coastal command convoy escorts, desert patrols, supporting Sicilian and Italian invasions (all from the N.African desert, then on Greek Island " Armed Rovers" until 10 November 1943, just at the end of ops, when he was shot down in the Aegean Sea and became a POW the next day 11 November 1943. Transferred to Germany he was in Stalag IVB for 3 months, before exchanging ID with an Irish soldier ,in order to get out of the main camp into a working sub-camp in order to escape. Post war Walter returned to Australia, he became "Citizen of the Year" in Werribee 1992 for his service to the community. In 1993 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to youth and to the retired.

This RAAF dress uniform and other associated article of clothing was owned by Walter Alexander Scott. Joined RAF December 1940 to be trained as a pilot, he got his wings December 1941, became a night fighter pilot after OTU and posted to 219 Squadron. Was posted to 603 Squadron December 1942 flying Beaufighters on coastal command convoy escorts, desert patrols, supporting Sicilian and Italian invasions (all from the N.African desert, then on Greek Island " Armed Rovers" until 10 November 1943, just at the end of ops, when he was shot down in the Aegean Sea and became a POW the next day 11 November 1943. Transferred to Germany he was in Stalag IVB for 3 months, before exchanging ID with an Irish soldier ,in order to get out of the main camp into a working sub-camp in order to escape. Post war Walter returned to Australia, he became "Citizen of the Year" in Werribee 1992 for his service to the community. In 1993 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to youth and to the retired.

This RAAF dress uniform and other associated article of clothing was owned by Walter Alexander Scott. Joined RAF December 1940 to be trained as a pilot, he got his wings December 1941, became a night fighter pilot after OTU and posted to 219 Squadron. Was posted to 603 Squadron December 1942 flying Beaufighters on coastal command convoy escorts, desert patrols, supporting Sicilian and Italian invasions (all from the N.African desert, then on Greek Island " Armed Rovers" until 10 November 1943, just at the end of ops, when he was shot down in the Aegean Sea and became a POW the next day 11 November 1943. Transferred to Germany he was in Stalag IVB for 3 months, before exchanging ID with an Irish soldier ,in order to get out of the main camp into a working sub-camp in order to escape. Post war Walter returned to Australia, he became "Citizen of the Year" in Werribee 1992 for his service to the community. In 1993 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to youth and to the retired.