In 1969 Private David Fisher, a national serviceman serving with 3 Squadron SAS, became the next soldier declared missing in action. In September 1969 Fisher was second-in-command of a five-man, long range SAS patrol searching for signs of enemy activity near the Nui May Tao massif in south-eastern Long Khanh province. After patrolling for seven days in persistent rain, on 27 September the Australians had a series of sharp contacts with strong groups of Viet Cong. Outnumbered and pursued through the jungle, they called for a helicopter extraction. The helicopters arrived within half an hour, just as the enemy were closing in on the SAS soldiers. During the hectic moments of the "hot" extraction, while under fire and surrounded by the enemy, the members of the patrol clipped on their karabiners and attached themselves to ropes dangling from a helicopter and were lifted clear of the jungle. As the helicopter gathered speed and helicopter gunships moved in to fire on the enemy on the ground, the patrol members suddenly noticed that Private Fisher was missing. He had fallen from his rope from a height of about 30 metres above the tree canopy. It was later suggested that, under pressure, Fisher may have attached his karabiner to the wrong loop on the rope. An air search began within ten minutes of the incident and a ground search began within five hours. A ten-man SAS patrol searched the jungle around the site, joined the following day by rifle companies who searched for the next six days. Fisher's body was never found, and he was declared missing in action, presumed dead. He had only two months remaining of his tour of duty.Stainless steel open-ended bracelet engraved with missing serviceman's full name and date missing. In a buff square velvet satin-lined box.David John Elkington Fisher 27/09/69mia, david john elkington fisher, trooper david john fisher, 2787344, australian national serviceman, royal australian infantry corps, 2nd special air service squadon, 3rd special air service squadron, sas

"Bernard Junck" enlisted No. VX21273 age 21 years in 2/2nd Pioneers on 3.6.1940. Embarked for the Middle East on 7.7.1941. Wounded in Action with GSW to the left foot 9.7.1941. Rejoined unit 4.8.1941. Embarked from the Middle East and disembarked at Batavia Java. Reported missing approx. 7.3.1942 then as POW. Transported to Japan on 15.1.1945, recovered at Omuta, Japan on 13.9.1945. Transferred to Manila then to Sydney and discharged from the AIF on 18.12.1945 with the rank of Private. Part of the Bennetts Collection.sepia toned head and shoulder photograph of an Australian soldier in uniform. Soldier is wearing an open neck shirt. Slouch hat unpinned. Back of photograph has postcard format in black. Handwritten details of soldier in black ink on back.Hand written in black ink on back of photograph: "VX212273 Pte B. JUNCK, B Coy, 2/2 PIONEERS, AIF ABROAD".bernard junck, pow, photograph, bennetts collection

Items in collection re B. J. Ruler VX40780 refer Cat No 5790 for his service details.Handwritten letters from family /friends to soldier (M. I. A) redirected to home address. Date of death 30.11.1943Envelope “VX40780 Bdr. Ruler B.J” Redirect to home address in Mildura after Ruler was listed as missing in action letters, ww2

Thomas William Francis No 2584. Enlisted on 7.7.1915 in 4th reinforcements 29th Batt AIF age 25 years 6 months. Embarked for Eygpt 14.3.16, embark for France 16.6.1916, reported missing 19/20.7.1916, listed as KIA 20.7.16 (Fromelles) no known grave. The photo is one of a number that originally hung in the "Gallery of Honour" foyer of the Soldiers Memorial Institute Pall Mall Bendigo now the Bendigo Military Museum. In 2008 a mass grave was found with 250 remains in. On 12.4.2013 it was announced that the remains of Thomas Francis had been identified. Francis is now buried in the new Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery. Refer Cat No 8003.Portrait photo B &W of a soldier in uniform, Great coat and peak hat re T.W Francis. Photo is set in a grey background with a dark stained wood frame."Pte T.W Francis 29th Batt D Coy A.I.F, enlisted July 1915, embarked March 1916. Killed in Action July 1916". brsl, smirsl, fromelles

An old book with torn spine in dark blue cover about platoon's attendance. It's filled with army number, rank, name and initialsThis item was donated by WO2 Gordon Hewat Peterson (37267) who was with the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. He served in Vietnam with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment from June 1965 to June 1966 and with the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) from July 1971 to October 1971platoon or section roll book, 1 platoon, a company, 1 battalion, the royal australian regiment, l/cpl richard harold heath (other name), 213963, royal australian infantry corps, pte peter raymond gillson, 37857, killed in action, wo2 gordon hewal peterson, 37267, australian army training team vietnam (aattv)

The last Australian soldier to be listed as missing in action was Lance Corporal John Francis Gillespie of 8 Field Ambulance. On 17 April 1971 Gillespie was serving as a helicopter medic during a 'dustoff' (helicopter medical evacuation) operation in the Long Hai hills in Phuoc Tuy province. Four South Vietnamese Regional Force soldiers had been injured by a mine explosion and the difficult terrain demanded a helicopter evacuation. But the Long Hai hills were an insecure landing zone. The caves and dense timber of the Long Hais had long harboured a major Viet Cong base area and the dustoff operation required the protection of helicopter gunships. As the first wounded soldier was being winched up, the hovering helicopter was hit by enemy machine-gun fire. It crashed to the ground and burst into flames. Although the crew escaped, Lance Corporal Gillespie and three other soldiers were engulfed in the fireball. A helicopter crewman, Corporal Robert Stephens, repeatedly entered the burning aircraft and tried in vain to rescue Gillespie, until being forced back by the flames. Stephens was later awarded the British Empire Medal for his courage. Gillespie's body could not be recovered from the burning wreckage which was reduced to slag by the fire. Private Gillespie was listed as missing in action, apparently on a technicality because his remains could not be found. The classification was subsequently altered to killed in action.Stainless steel open ended bracelet with missing serviceman's full name and date missing. In a buff square satin lined box.MIA John Francis Gillespie 17/04/71mia, john francis gillespie, l/cpl john francis gillespie, 3170244, royal australian army medical corps, 8th field ambulance, cpl robert stephens, killed in action

Black nylon banner with white print of circle with silhouette of guard tower, prisoner and barbed wire, with words POW & MIA You are not forgottenPOW MIA You are not forgottenmia, pow, missing in action, prisoner of war, american soldiers