Set of 2 round cloth badgesOperational Support Unit RAAF VietNam Australian Vietnam Forces 1962-1973 vietnam badges, operational support unit r.a.a.f. vietnam,

Wood veneer plaque with fabric crest of 1 Operational Support Unit RAAF:- White centre of two aboriginal weapons - spear and woomera. Motto; Strike Furtherplaque, operational support unit, raaf

No 1 Operational Support Unit RAAF Vietnam was an unofficial badge and could be purchased as some of the tailor shops on the base. Mainly used on flying suites, which were scrounged from various sources. Usually the only 1OSU personnel issued flying suits were the medical people doing dust off's. A round cloth patch with a blue border. Withing the blue border is yellow lettering. The centre has the number 1 (one) embroidered on it and overlayed that is a red kangaroo. Operational Support Unit/R.A.A.F Vietnam raaf, dust off, flying suit, hudnott, raymant

Unframed photo - Staff of air movements section No1 Operational Support Unit RAAF flooded out of thei section by monsoon/ L-R Corporal John Hawkes, Sgt Ron Phelps, Corporal Alan Rohde. 11 Movement Control Group, Royal Australian Engineers. Leading Aircraftman Paul DisherAWM VN70-57-1 (2)monsoon floods, no1 operational support unit raaf, air movements section, vung tau

This photograph was taken by Cpl Joseph Charles Mercieca (A316866) who was with the Royal Australian Air Force and served in Vietnam with the No. 1 Operational Support Unit from July 1969 to July 1970Colour Photograph of a direct hit by a Viet Cong rocket on a fuel dump 1969.'Direct Hit' Fuel Dump Hit by V C Rocket 1969 Photographed by J C Merciecacpl joseph charles mercieca, a316866, royal australian air force, no. 1 operational support unit, photograph, vc rocket, viet cong

This photograph was taken by Cpl Joseph Charles Mercieca (A316866) who served with the Royal Australian Air Force. He served in Vietnam with No. 1 Operational Support Unit from July 1969 to July 1970.A colour photograph in a black frame titled "Highway One" Nui Dat 1970. Below the part of the helicopter that is in the photograph you can see the lush green landscape."Highway One" Nui Dat 1970 Photographed by J.C. Merciecacpl joseph charles mercieca, a316866, royal australian air force, no.1 operational support unit, photograph, highway one, nui dat

This is part of a collection that was donated by Aircraftman John Edwin Joseph Dolling (A119056) who served with the RAAF. He served in Vietnam with No 2 Squadron from Jan 71 to Jun 71 and No.1 Operational Support Unit from Jun 71 to Jan 72.On tan paper with a blue heading and information below and on the reverse in Vietnamese. The title of the document has faded and is hard to read in places, There is a piece of the document missing near the top left hand corner and the document is held together with sticky tape.aircraftman john edwin joseph dolling, a119056, raaf, royal australian air force, no 2 squadron', no. 1 operational support unit, propaganda, vietnamese

This is part of a collection that was donated by Aircraftman John Edwin Joseph Dolling (A119056) who served with the RAAF. He served in Vietnam with No 2 Squadron from Jan 71 to Jun 71 and No.1 Operational Support Unit from Jun 71 to Jan 72.On lined paper is a request for 1 day sick leave dated 6th Jan 1968 and address as Dear Sir sub foreman. the name of the writer is in Vietnamese but their VN ID Card is 020440. The writer has signed off with May God bless you.aircraftman john edwin joseph dolling, a119056, raaf, royal australian air force, no 2 squadron', no. 1 operational support unit, letter, sick leave, vn id card 020440

This is part of a collection that was donated by Aircraftman John Edwin Joseph Dolling (A119056) who served with the RAAF. He served in Vietnam with No 2 Squadron from Jan 71 to Jun 71 and No.1 Operational Support Unit from Jun 71 to Jan 72.On plain paper in Vietnamese titled GIAY CHUNG - NHAN CU - TRU is a document for a Residence Certificate for Luu Thu Hang Vietnamese nationality (for citizen) born on March 15 1957. There is an ID photograph with the document. In the inscriptions and markings is the English version of the document.See image PC224 Conversion for translation.aircraftman john edwin joseph dolling, a119056, raaf, royal australian air force, no 2 squadron', no. 1 operational support unit, residence certificate, ninh thuan province, an phuoc district, hau phuoc commune, phuoc dong village, luu thu hang

This is part of a collection that was donated by Aircraftman John Edwin Joseph Dolling (A119056) who served with the RAAF. He served in Vietnam with No 2 Squadron from Jan 71 to Jun 71 and No.1 Operational Support Unit from Jun 71 to Jan 72.A document in Vietnamese typed and handwritten. Translated by Google is is a certificate from Doctor Truong Huy Phuc who treats internal diseases, women and children and maternity. The certificates if for four days. There is a red stamp at the bottom and part of it reads 'Phong I don't like it'aircraftman john edwin joseph dolling, a119056, raaf, royal australian air force, no 2 squadron', no. 1 operational support unit, vietnamese, medical certificate

This is part of a collection that was donated by Aircraftman John Edwin Joseph Dolling (A119056) who served with the RAAF. He served in Vietnam with No 2 Squadron from Jan 71 to Jun 71 and No.1 Operational Support Unit from Jun 71 to Jan 72. On cream paper in Vietnamese (translated by Google), it is from Australian Air Force, Vung Tau, Republic of Vietnam. It is information advising people on the withdrawal of the Australian Army and advising people to look for a job. It is written on behalf of the Australian Air Force Commander and is signed by Major R.A. Carey.aircraftman john edwin joseph dolling, a119056, raaf, royal australian air force, no 2 squadron', no. 1 operational support unit, vung tau, republic of vietnam, withdrawal, australian air force commander, maj r.a. carey

This is part of a collection that was donated by Aircraftman John Edwin Joseph Dolling (A119056) who served with the RAAF. He served in Vietnam with No 2 Squadron from Jan 71 to Jun 71 and No.1 Operational Support Unit from Jun 71 to Jan 72.A fourteen page collection of Superstitions of the Vietnamese People from the book 'The Vietnamese and Vietnam' by Cuu-Long-Giang and Toan-Anh which was translated by Stuart J. Bradley with adaptions. aircraftman john edwin joseph dolling, a119056, raaf, royal australian air force, no 2 squadron', no. 1 operational support unit, superstitions, vietnamese people

This is part of a collection that was donated by Aircraftman John Edwin Joseph Dolling (A119056) who served with the RAAF. He served in Vietnam with No 2 Squadron from Jan 71 to Jun 71 and No.1 Operational Support Unit from Jun 71 to Jan 72.On cream paper from Republic of Vietnam Supreme Court dated July 05, 1972 is an extract from the minutes of the Clerk's Office of Gia Dinh Court of 1st Instance is a decree in lieu of birth certificate for Nguyen Dinh Hung, This is stamped as a certified true translation, the document is in Vietnamese and English.Translated by Google: Republic of Viêt Nam -+-SUPRELIE COURT + An extract from the minutes of the Clerk's Office of Cia Dinh Court of 1st Instance DECREE IN LIEU OF BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR NGUYEN BINH HUNG 2410/HD Date July 05, 1972 The Court of First Instance getting in Civil session its public session of at which were seated: Mr. Hồ đặc Cần - President Đồ mạnh Quỳnh, - Prosecutor Nghiễn thị Qua Tâm - Clerk delivered the following: DECREE: The Court, In consideration of Mr Nguyễn đình Khiên request for a judgment serving as a Birth certificate for FOR THE REASONS: States that: NGUYỄN ĐÌNH HUNG, twin born, male, was born on December 11th, 1957 in Phu Nhuận village, Tân Bình district, Gia dinh province, legitimate child of Mr Nguyên đình Phiên and Mrs Động thị Tổ Tâm. Orders that this judgment may serve as a birth certificate for the said child. Orders that the statements herein shall be transcribed in full in to the birth registers for the current year of Phu nhuện village, Tân Bình, Gia dinand in summary in the margin of the birth certificate bearing the date nearest to that of December 11, 1957 filed in the records of said place and at the clerk's office of this Court. Leaves the costs to the charge of the petitioner This Decree was this made and pronounced on the day and in the year as aforgsaid. Signed: Hồ đãc Cần, Nghiêm thị Que Tâm Registered at Third Office of Saigon, on September 1972, 4th day Book 94b Folio 79 No 527/54 Received: 288s Certified true extract Gia định, July 10, 1973 Head clerk Signed: Vu duy Thuật (Sealed) Certified true translation Saigon, August 2nd, 1974 Signed clerk of Saigon court of Peace, concurrently assuming the official translator function. CHANH LỤC STdocument, birth certificate, republic of vietnam, supreme court, aircraftman john edwin joseph dolling, a119056, raaf, royal australian air force, no 2 squadron', no. 1 operational support unit

This is part of a collection that was donated by Aircraftman John Edwin Joseph Dolling (A119056) who served with the RAAF. He served in Vietnam with No 2 Squadron from Jan 71 to Jun 71 and No.1 Operational Support Unit from Jun 71 to Jan 72.A two page typed document titled TET-68. It is about the security for Saigon area with VNCH and lists the forces defending Saigon during the TET Operation. The document also lists the many forces defending Saigon. Operation Tran Hung Dao is also mentioned in the document. Handwritten on page one and two is the name John E Dolling. For more information on this document please read the media files.aircraftman john edwin joseph dolling, a119056, raaf, royal australian air force, no 2 squadron', no. 1 operational support unit, tet offensive (1968), operation tran hung dao, arvn, saigon

This item was donated by Leading Aircraftman John Stuart Kirby (A317933) who was with the Royal Australian Air Force and served in Vietnam with No 9 Squadron from September 1971 to December 1971 and No. 1 Operational Support Unit from December 1971 to February 1972.Hand carved and lacquered wood shield. There is an American and Australian flag with a helicopter above each flag. There is a map of Vietnam with the Vietnamese flag. The insignia of the Shield of Mekons is near the left bottom and the insignia of 9 Squadron is near the bottom right,Brothers-in-Arms Vietnam Vetrans "For John Kirby Your visit to Chico Cailfornia September 2001 Because We Were There By Wm Robert Stanley Sr.leading aircraftman john stuart kirby, a317933, royal australian air force, no 9 squadron, no. 1 operational support unit, handcrafted, shield of the mekons

This is part of a collection donated by Aircraftman John Edwin Joseph Dolling (A119056) who served with the RAAF as a Linguist. He served in Vietnam with No 2 Squadron from Jan 71 to Jun 71 and No.1 Operational Support Unit from Jun 71 to Jan 72.A document in Vietnamese typed and handwritten . The guarantor's name is Cella and the document is dated April 5 1967. There is a red stamp at the bottom of the page which is from the Anphic Police Branch.aircraftman john edwin joseph dolling, a119056, raaf, royal australian air force, no 2 squadron', no. 1 operational support unit, from guarantee, republic of vietnam

This item was donated by Leading Aircraftman Gregory Frederick Mead (A316860) who was with the Royal Australian Air Force and served in Vietnam with Base Support Flight from May 1968 to September 1968 and No. 1 Operational Support Unit from September 1968 to May 1969Metal, plastic, pale blue paint, black and silver knobs, On/Off switch, morse key. Sticky taped on white paper reads Morse Code Trainer.NS No. 5805-99-580-8558 Key telegraph F.I.L.71 Ser.No 2353signals, trainer, morse code, leading aircraftman gregory frederick mead, a316860, royal australian air force, raaf, base support flight, no. 1 operational support unit

This is part of a collection that was donated by Aircraftman John Edwin Joseph Dolling (A119056) who served with the RAAF. He served in Vietnam with No 2 Squadron from Jan 71 to Jun 71 and No.1 Operational Support Unit from Jun 71 to Jan 72. He was also a linguist.A black and white photograph of people Vietnamese people burying their loved ones in a trench. There are several people in the trench and nearby the trench. This photograph was taken during the Tet Offensive 1968. On the back of the photograph there is a stamp from the Republic of Vietnam, Ministry of Information.aircraftman john edwin joseph dolling, a119056, raaf, royal australian air force, no 2 squadron, no. 1 operational support unit, australian linguist, photograph, tet offensive (1968), hue, republic of vietnam, ministry of information, mass burial

This item was donated by Leading Aircraftman Gordon William Garbutt (A112675) who was with the Royal Australian Air Force as a Motor Transport Fitter (Grade 1) and served in Vietnam with Base Squadron Ubon from May 1967 to August 1968 and No 1 Operational Support Unit from November 1969 to June 1970.TG7B, Metal, plastic, electromechanical typewriter to send and receive typed messages,Teletype/ Manufactured by Teletype Corporation, Chigago USAsignals, raaf operations support, teletype printer, leading aircraftman gordon william garbutt, a112675, base squadron ubon, no. 1 operational support unit

This is part of a collection donated by Aircraftman John Edwin Joseph Dolling (A119056) who served as a Linguist in Vietnam with RAAF No 2 Squadron from Jan 1971 to June 1971, and No.1 Operational Support Unit from Jun 71 to Jan 72. In his diary, he records: his fond attitudes towards the people of Vietnam; Civil Aid projects such an orphanage that the RAAF looked after; money and exchange rates; his work as a translator; National Heroes day Celebrations; scenery and daily life around Phan Rang (US Air Base) in Ninh Thuan Province.A nineteen page typed diary. Written by Aircraftman John Dolling. He mentions a US Military plane which flew him to Phan Rang. Also mentioned is a Padre and an Orphanage.aircraftman john edwin joseph dolling, a119056, raaf, royal australian air force, no 2 squadron', no. 1 operational support unit, diary, padre, orphanage, dolling, civil aid

This photograph was taken by Cpl Joseph Charles Mercieca (A316866) who served with the Royal Australian Air Force and was in Vietnam with No. 1 Operational Unit from July 1969 to July 1970.In a black frame is a coloured photograph of stacked sandbags in the foreground with a post. There are several other posts with lots of wires running across the tops of them. There is barb wire surrounding the sandbags and building and vehicles across the road. At the bottom of the photograph reads The Wet - Vung Tau 1970 photographed by J.C. Merciecavung tau, photograph, cpl joseph charles mercieca, a316866, royal australian air force, no. 1 operational support unit, the wet

Colour photograph of two servicemen wearing hats and carrying a box with drinks. Written on the box are the words jaffas, Goffas, Comics. Other servicemen in uniform and civilian clothing are in the background.Taken on a Saturday night /Vung Tau 1969. Photographed by Cpl Joseph Charles Mercieca (this information is partly covered by the frame)photograph, cpl joseph charles mercieca, a316866, no. 1 operational support unit, royal australian air force, soldiers

Photograph of medical orderly, Slim Wilson in a flying suit and helmet standing next to a helicopter. Leading Aircraftman R (Slim) Wilson was with No:1 Operational Support Unit. He is checking his equipment before a mission with 9 Squadron. Leading Aircraftman R (Slim) Wilson a medical orderly with No:1 Operation Support Unit checks his equipment before a mission with 9 Squadron. Wilson was awarded a mention in despatches for his work with 9 Squandronphotograph, 9 squadron raaf, medical, leading aircraftman r. (slim) wilson, medical orderly, mid

The 2nd Force Support Battalion ( 2 FSB ) was an Australian Army logistics battalion. The unit was established in 1998 and was headquartered in Hobart - with depots across Tasmania and Victoria. It was merged into the 8th Operational Support Unit in 2024. Wooden plaque with metal plate showing insignia on front.Central image of a Gryphon. Above image are the words " 2nd Force Support Battalion" Below image " Diligence Courage Strength ".

Associated with Leading Aircraftman Gordon William Garbutt, Service no: A112675, who served as a Motor Transport Fitter (Grade 1) at Base Squadron Ubon 1967-68, and No.1 Operational Support Unit in Vietnam 1969-70.Royal Australian Air Force blue peaked cap ( size 58) with black woven hat band and black patent leather chin strap secured by RAAF buttons. The sweatband is brown vinyl and the inside of the cap is lined with dark blue polyester and plastic. Warrant Officer badge on front has gold eagle above gold feathers, topped by a black and red crown.garbutt, g w garbutt, raaf, uniform, warrant officer, cap, hat

Item worn by Corporal Fred Barber, Air Defence Guard (ADG) royal Australian Air Force, who served at Base Squadron Ubon 1967-8 and with No.1 Operational Support Unit 1971-2. Air Defence Guards were responsible for protecting RAAF assets. During the war in Vietnam, many also served as door gunners on UH-1 Iroquois helicopters with RAAF no. 9 Squadron.Khaki mesh and cloth pilot's vest with five pockets on front, fastened with domes - various sizes. Two pockets on front are fastened with zips. Vest is fastened with zipper down front, three pockets fastened with domes at side of back, and one large pocket on back has a velcro fastenerVest - Survival mesh net. Size medium - Rest of label too faint to read. "Barber" written in black textavest, survival, raaf, adg, barber,

Awarded to Alan Bowers (A236814) who was a R.A.A.F. dental mechanic who serverd during WWII including service in Darwin, and then continued in the R.A.A.F. for some years after the end of WWII The Royal Australian Air Force (and all Commonwealth Air Forces) Long Service and Good Conduct Medal: Awarded to NCOs and ORs of the RAAF (RAF, RCAF etc) for 15 years service. A cupro-nickel plated medal, the obverse features the sovereign's head, the reverse features the crown and eagle emblem of the RAAF (and RAF). Officers are eligible for the award provided they have served a minimum 12 years in the ranks. The riband is dark blue and maroon with white edges. This medal ceased to be awarded in Australia in 1975 when it was replaced by the National Medal (and sbsequently the DFSM and DLSM) in the Australian system of honours and awards. http://www.heritagemedals.com.au/medals-1/service-long-service/air-force-long-service-and-good-conduct-medal.html History of the RAAF Dental Branch It took six years following the formation of the RAAF in 1921 for the first Dental Clinic to be established at Point Cook, Victoria. On 10th June 1927 Flying Officer James Carl Rosenbrock commenced work as an RAAF Dental Officer for the FlyingTraining School at Point Cook. As personnel numbers were still relatively small, Rosenbrock was also responsible for the dental care of all Victorian RAAF units, which involved treating members at 1AD Laverton, as well as Air Force Headquarters at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne. As Army Dental Officers were currently caring for RAAF personnel at Richmond, NSW, the Senior Dental Officer of the 3rd Military District in Victoria (SDO 3MD) requested through the military board that a similar arrangement be established, where that the newly appointed RAAF Dentist provide part time dental services to the Army units stationed at Queenscliff. This was seen as an effective reciprocal arrangement, with both units having a Dental Officer in attendance for, in total, around 3-4 weeks a year. Rosenbrock continued to serve as the sole RAAF Dental Officer until the middle of 1933, when the Air Board asked for his service to be terminated following ‘behaviour unbecoming of a RAAF officer'. He had borrowed several sums of money, of around 40 Pounds or so, from junior ranks on base (as well as from the Regimental Sergeant Major) and had failed to pay the money back. He was replaced by a fellow Victorian, FLGOFF Norman Henry Andrews, on the 18th Sep 1933, who went on to become our first Director of Dental Services, and was instrumental in establishing the organisations and conditions of the Branch that are still present today. Through a fair amount of persistence and hard work on the part of Norman Andrews, the RAAF Dental Branch began to expand from 1937, with the introduction of 2 additional positions, at RAAF station Richmond, and at the FlyingTraining School at Point Cook. This gave the RAAF 3 uniformed Dental Officers, which was expanded to 5 in the months leading up to WW2. 4 of these Dental Officers were based in Victoria and 1 at Richmond, with the other two RAAF units being cared for by the Army (as in the case of Pearce in WA) or by civilians (as in Darwin). With the sudden increase in RAAF personnel required at the outbreak of WW2, the number of RAAF Dental Officers increased dramatically, from 5 in 1939, 28 in 1940, 64 in 1941, 147 in 1942, 193 in 1943, 219 in 1944, and peaking at 227 in 1945. RAAF Dental Officers were required to work in a variety of locations, both in and out of Australia. Between 1940 and 1942 a massive construction programme occurred, with new dental clinics being established around Australia. Priority was given to aircrew training units in order to get these personnel dentally fit for operational deployment, but Dental Officers could equally find themselves posted to recruit depots, fixed stations, medical clearance stations, mobile dental sections, and RAAF and civilian hospitals. RAAF Dental Officers were posted to the large dental centres at Ascot Vale (Vic) and Bradfield Park (NSW) when first appointed, where they received military and clinical training, before being deployed to their needed location. Mobile Dental Units When Japan entered the war in 1941, the rapid deployment of troops to northern operational areas with less than ideal dental fitness was extremely high. As a result, the RAAF deployed a range of mobile dental units, either alone or with medical sections, to support the increasing number of isolated deployed personnel within Australia and overseas. There were three types of mobile unit used: a. Mobile Dental Unit – relied on using either a semi-trailer to get around or by building a surgery directly on to the truck chassis, and installing hydraulic chairs, units, x-rays, and laboratory equipment. They were able to move around between small units, such as RAAF radar stations, where they could plug into the local power supply and work immediately. b. Transportable Dental Units – used for stops of longer duration, where field equipment was carried in panniers from one unit to another by road or rail and housed in whatever accommodation was available at the destination. They were often carried within Australia on Tiger Moths and Dakota aircraft. c. Itinerant Dental Units – in some areas, the dental equipment was installed at the RAAF unit and the Dental Officer and their staff would travel from unit to unit, using the equipment available at each location. RAAF Dental BadgeAs the war developed in Europe, it soon became obvious that the RAF Dental support was not capable of supporting the increasing numbers of RAAF aircrew that were being sent for service with the RAF, with only enough Dental Officers available to provide one to every 2000 men ( instead of the preferred 1 to 600). As a result, the RAAF provided a mobile dental unit, fitted out in a caravan and pulled by a Ford V8 Coupe, to travel around England in support of RAAF personnel at various squadrons. Some degree of tact was needed to ensure that the RAF did not take this as a comment on the treatment they were providing, but it proved successful in maintaining a satisfactory state of dental fitness in RAAF personnel, and a second mobile unit was soon dispatched. They were also set up with a laboratory on board as well as the surgery, which was a major difference between the RAF and RAAF, as the RAF did not provide dentures for their troops (the RAAF would, providing they had served for 6 years). In 1943 the RAF was no longer able to provide Dental support to Australian troops in the Middle East, which resulted in the need for a transportable dental unit to be deployed from Australia. It functioned in a similar manner to the RAF, by moving from one squadron to another. It served in the Middle East and Africa, from Cairo across North Africa, to Italy, and eventually back to England to treat returned prisoners of war. GPCAPT Norman Andrews The growth and development of the RAAF Dental Branch owes a debt to one man in particular, GPCAPT Norman Andrews. As the second RAAF Dental Officer to enlist on 18 Sep 1933, Andrews became the principal architect of the structure and organisation of the RAAF Dental Branch leading up to and during WW2. Until early 1940, the RAAF Dental Branch was administered by the Director of Medical Services (Air), which placed it under the control of the Army Medical staff. The Army would provide their Inspector of Dental Services for advice whenever needed. In April 1940, the RAAF Medical service separated from the Army, resulting in the control of the RAAF Dental Branch shifting back to the RAAF. Andrews became the first Director of Dental Services, when the position was created in 1943 as recognition of the higher profile the Dental Branch was now playing in the RAAF Medical service. Until this time, Andrews's title had been as the Dental Staff Officer to the RAAF Medical Service. Andrews was responsible for the establishment of the war-time structure of the Dental service, establishing new dental centres at all major bases, creating mobile and transportable dental units, ensuring the continual growth of the Branch, maintaining professional development of staff through the establishment of a professional journal, and by organising renowned lecturers to speak at RAAF bases. He also believed in visiting as many dental units as possible to see for himself what conditions were like and to talk first-hand to staff in remote units. His itinerary during the war years, both in and out of Australia, shows a large number of trips in a variety of modes of transport in order to reach remote areas where units were serving. He was promoted to GPCAPT in July 1944, as the numbers of Dental Officers soon peaked at 227 towards the end of the war (1 GPCAPT, 9 WGCDRs, 60 SQNLDRs, and 157 FLTLTs). After the war, with the reduction in RAAF personnel required in uniform, the Dental Branch also reduced its numbers significantly. By 1947 there were only 18 Dental Officers serving (many part-time), with 1 GPCAPT, 1 WGCDR, 10 SQNLDRs, and 6 FLTLTs, and only 13 by 1950. With the decrease in Branch personnel numbers, the ‘powers to be' saw fit to reduce the Director of Dental Service rank to WGCDR, and as a result Norman Andrews found that in order to continue serving in the RAAF he would have to wear a reduced rank. This appears to have been a contributing factor in his decision to discharge at the relatively early age of 43 and accept an administrative job as Director of the Victorian Government's School Dental Service. Norman Andrews holds the proud honour of being the founder of the RAAF Dental Branch, which during the war was instrumental in educating servicemen of the importance of dental health and maintaining the dental fitness of troops in a variety of areas. Dental Orderlies (Assistants) The dental orderly mustering was first introduced in 1937. Until that time, medical orderlies were assigned to assist the Dental officer with their duties. As early as 1931 it had been noted by both RAAF and Army Dental Officers working in Victoria and Richmond that a lot of the troubles they were having would be solved by appointing a permanent Dental Orderly. Often they would find that the medical orderly they were assigned was a different one each day, and as a result the administration and work in general was very inefficient. By 1937, with the increase in Dental Officers to 3, it was realised that a Dental Orderly mustering needed to be created. Dental Mechanics/Technicians Before WW2, dental laboratory work was provided by civilian laboratories, as most RAAF units were stationed around metropolitan areas. At this time, service personnel were still required to pay for their own dentures, unless they had served for six years or had their dentures damaged during performance of their duties. In July 1940, mainly in response to the development of more remote RAAF dental units and the increasing demand for dental prostheses, the Dental Mechanic mustering was established. Unfortunately there was a very limited pool of civilian dental mechanics to recruit from, and as a result the RAAF set up a training school at Laverton (which was later moved to Ascot Vale) in June 1941 which conducted an intensive 6 month course in Dental mechanics. Dental mechanics were quickly in demand. In all fixed and mobile dental units at least 1 Mechanic was supplied for each Dental Officer, and indeed the RAAF supplied Dental Mechanics throughout all its deployments, something the RAF were unwilling, or unable, to do. Two grades of dental mechanic existed: the Senior Mechanic (with the rank of NCO), who was competent in all phases of laboratory work; and the Junior Mechanic, who could only handle routine work and not more advanced denture work. The progression to Senior required a further trade test in techniques including setting up, clasp-forming, casting and backing teeth. During the course of the War, two special courses were held for Mechanics. The first, directed at senior mechanics so that they could instruct others, was in 1942 when Acrylic Resin was first introduced as a denture base material, as an alternative to the current option of vulcanite. Later, towards the end of the War, a ‘refresher' course was provided for those that had served for the greatest period of time in order to allow them retraining in techniques that they had not practised during their service and which were common in civilian life. This included cast base dentures, crowns and bridges, partial dentures, and retainers. Towards the end of the War, a course was held with WAAAF trainees to train them as Mechanics. However, as the War was soon to end they never had the opportunity to progress within the mustering to become Senior Mechanics. The RAAF Dental Branch has survived 75 years of turbulence, with reviews of its viability occurring regularly every few years from as early as 1937. The Branch continues to provide excellent service to the ADF community and, despite reduced manpower, will continue to play an important role in Air Force Health operations. http://www.defence.gov.au/health/about/docs/RAAFDental.pdf40cm cupro-nickel plated medal, the obverse features the sovereign's head, the reverse features the crown and eagle emblem of the RAAF (and RAF). A23814 BOWERS.A. A. F.r.a.a.f long service medal, r.a.a.f good conduct, r.a.a.f. dental service medal