What I thought I knew about the Viet Nam War didn't even come close to scratching the surface of what the Viet Nam experiece really was all about for my father (Gary McKay) and his fellow veterans... After going to Viet Nam with hem, I felt I finally understood him a little better. (this is by Kelly McKay) 1961-1975 -- vietnam, southern -- battefields, vietnam war, 1961-1975 -- personal narratives, australian, veterans -- travel -- australia -- vietnam, gary mckay, 2lt tim fischer, 1 rar

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 at Long Tan, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, 18/08/1969. During the dedication of the Cross the original members of D Company 6 RAR who were present at the battle flanked the cross (L to R) Sgt J Beere, Cpl W "Piggy" O'Rourke, Cpl W.A. Roche and a 6 RAR Piper.photograph, long tan, d coy, 6 rar, sgt j beere, cpl w "piggy' o'rourke, cpl w a roche, gibbons collection catalogue, pipers, phuoc tuy province, long tan cross dedication, 6 rar piper, 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 131st Divisional Locating Battery, 1st Field Regt RAA. Gnr Cahill mans an M60 machine gun while his number two is at the ready with his SLR rifle, in one of the units' sandbagged bunkers, in the battery location on top of Nui Dat Hill, 1AFT BAse, (circa March 1967)photograph, 131st locating battery, 1st field regt, raa, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, gnr cahill, m60 machine gun, slr, nui dat hill, 1 aft base, 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 some D Company, Headquarters Personnel 6 RAR/NZ(ANZAC), patrolling toward a suspected VC area during Operation Lavarack (June 1969). Left to right L/Cpl D.S Devantier, L/Cpl J Gostynski, Lt G R Spencer, Maj I T Stewart and Gnr G K Grantphotograph, d coy, 6 rar/nz, operation lavarack, vc, gibbons collection catalogue, l/cpl d.s devantier, l/cpl j gostynski, lt g r spencer, maj i t stewart, gnr g k grant, 6 rar/nz (anzac), viet cong, 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 Diggers from 1 Platoon, A Company, 8 RAR on Operation Atherton, 11 miles North West of the Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, signal the Dustoff crew to operate the winch for a wounded mate casevaced to hospital. Casualities were 1 dead and 14 wounded.photograph, 1 atf, operation atherton, a coy, 8 rar, dustoff, gibbons collection catalogue, digger, australian task force, nui dat, wounded serviceman, killed in action, 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 - At 8th Field Ambulace Hospital, Vung Tau two Medics chat to Mrs Pearl Copeland as she waits for he son Pte Russel Copeland to be loaded onto a medivac stretcher for the RAAF C 130 flight back to Australia8th field ambulance, vung tau, pte russel copeland, c130 medivac flight, raaf, gibbons collection catalogue, mrs pearl copeland, medivac, medics, wounded serviceman, 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 Diggers from 1 Platoon, A Company, 8 RAR on Operation Atherton, 11 miles North West of the Australain Task Force Base, Nui Dat, prepare a wounded mate for winching out of thick jungle to be casevaced to hospital, casualities were 1 dead and 14 wounded.photograph, 1 atf, operation atherton, 1 platoon, a coy, 8 rar, dustoff, gibbons collection catalogue, australian task force, nui dat, diggers, wounded serviceman, killed in action, 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 Phuoc Tuy Province, at a newly established Fire Support Base, gunners are busy with the construction of ammunition and protection bunkers within the gun bay. The construction was expected to be completed within the first day (circa March 1969)photograph, fire support base, phuoc tuy province, gibbons collection catalogue, bunkers, diggers, gunners, 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 Cpl Alex (Chuck) Berry, while the Anaeshetists looks on, in the operating theatre at 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam, inserts a needle into the arm of a badly burned American helicopter pilot as he is prepared for surgeryphotograph, cpl alex (chuck) berry, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, gibbons collection catalogue, american soldier, anaeshetists, helicopter pilots -- united states., surgery, 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 staff and patients at the 1st Australian Field Hospita,l watch patients being medivaced loaded into ambulances for the journey to Vung Tau Military Airfield, to be loaded onto an Australian C130medical transport aircraft for the flight back Australia.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, raaf, c130 medivac flight, gibbons collection catalogue, medivac, vung tau airfield, diggers, medical staff, 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 whitie photograph of a series of South Vietnamese Regional Force heavily sandbagged outposts on Vietnams National Route 23, built around both approaches to a second bridge built by 1st Field Sqn Engineers of the 1st Australian Task Force soldiers had the responsibility for protecting the bridge against NVA/VietCong attack. The Regional Force soldiers living in these outposts normally had their families, wives and children, living with them.photograph, south vietnamese regional force, national route 23, 1st field sqn engineers, 1st atf base, gibbons collection catalogue, regional force soldiers, australian soldiers, nva/vietcong, 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 Vietnamese women from local villages and the Phuoc Tuy Province, Baria fill sandbags to be used at the 1 Australian Task Force (1ATF) Base, Nui Dat. The women were paid for each sandbag filled. The filled sandbags were collected by diggers from 1ATFphotograph, vietnamese women, baria, 1 atf, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, sandbags, baria, phuoc tuy province, 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 the French manager of the Duc Trung "Gallia' rubber plantation, complains, through an Australian Linguist interpreter about the 5th Battalion holding up production conducting the cordon and search of Operation Bondi. The complaint was fruitless.photograph, duc trung "gallia" rubber plantation, 5 rar, operation bondi, gibbons collection catalogue, 5th battalion, french manager, 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 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, diggers, prepare meals for Binh Ba villagers awaiting interrogation and identity checks, during the cordon and search Operation Bondi (30/12/1969) around the village and the Gallia Rubber Plantation.photograph, 5 rar, binh ba, operation bondi, duc trung "gallia" rubber plantation, gibbons collection catalogue, 5th battalion, diggers, denis gibbons, idenity checks

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 the French owners house at the 'Gallia' rubber plantation becomes a shady nook for the staff and workers as they await to be interrogated and undergo identidy checks during Operation Bondi. photograph, duc trung "gallia" rubber plantation, operation bondi, gibbons collection catalogue, french manager, diggers, 5 rar, denis gibbons, idenity checks

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 at the French owners house at the 'Gallia' rubber plantation, becomes a shady nook for the staff and workers on the plantation to keep out of the sun, as they await their turn to be interrogated and undergo identidy checks during Operation Bondi.(30/12/1969)photograph, duc trung "gallia" rubber plantation, 5 rar, operation bondi, gibbons collection catalogue, french manager, diggers, denis gibbons, idenity checks

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 an Armoured Personnel Carrier operating with 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment diggers, guards Binh Ha villagers awaiting to be interrogated and undergo identidy checks during the cordon and search Operation Bondi.(30/12/1969)photograph, 5 rar, operation bondi, binh ba, gibbons collection catalogue, apc, armoured personnel carrier, diggers, denis gibbons, idenity checks

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 a 5 RAR digger, guards the Binh Ha plantation owners car, while a command armoured personnel carrier parks nearby. Plantation villagers file into a compound to await interrogation and identity checks during the cordon and search Operation Bondi. (30/12/1969)photograph, duc trung "gallia" rubber plantation, 5 rar, binh ba, operation bondi, gibbons collection catalogue, digger, apc, armoured personnel carrier, identity checks, interrogation, plantation villagers, 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 a 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, digger guards Binh Ha villagers awaiting interrogation and identity checks, during the cordon and search Operation Bondi.(30/12/1969). around the village and Gallia Rubber Plantation.photograph, duc trung "gallia" rubber plantation, operation bondi, 5 rar, gibbons collection catalogue, binh ba, digger, interrogation, identity checks, 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 Pte Jack Higgins batman to the Company Commander Maj Jake O'Donnell MC Headquarters, 7 RAR (1967 - 1968) moves through thick jungle in the rain, in the foothills of the Nui Nghe monutains during Operation Caroline a search and destroy mission.photograph, pte jack higgins, maj jake o'donnell, a coy, 7 rar, operation caroline, nui nghe mountains, gibbons collection catalogue, military cross, company commander, mc headquarters, jungle, 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 Pte Jack Higgins batman to the Company Commander Maj Jake O'Donnell MC, A Company, Headquarters 7 RAR (1967-1968) moves through open ground in the foothills of the Nui Nghe monutains during Operation Caroline, a search and destroy mission.photograph, pte jack higgins, maj jake o'donnell, a coy, 7 rar, nui nghe mountains, operation caroline, gibbons collection catalogue, military cross, search and destroy mission, 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 a tired and dirty Pte Jack Higgins about to enjoy a peeled orange while his boss Maj Jake O'Donnell MC, A Company, 7 RAR (1967-1968) watches his company file back into lines upon return to the 1 ATF Base at Nui Dat following the completion of Operation Carolinephotograph, pte jack higgins, maj jake o'donnell, a coy, 7 rar, 1 atf, nui nghe mountains, operation caroline, gibbons collection catalogue, nui dat, 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 the batman, tired and dirty Pte Jack Higgins enjoys a peeled orange, while his boss Maj Jake O'Donnell MC, A Company 7 RAR (1967-1968) watches his company file back into lines, upon return to the 1 ATF Base, following the completion of Operation Carolinephotograph, pte jack higgins, maj jake o'donnell, a coy, 7 rar, 1 atf, nui dat, operation caroline, nui nghe mountains, 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 black and white photograph of the batman Pte Jack Higgins, Chelsea, Victoria, A Company, 7 RAR(1967-1968) files back into lines upon return to the 1 ATF Base, Nui Dat following the completion of Operation Caroline, a search and destroy mission, in the foothills of the Nui Nghe Mountains.photograph, pte jack higgins, a coy, 7 rar, 1 atf, nui dat, nui nghe mountains, operation caroline, gibbons collection catalogue, search and destroy mission, 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 a tired and dirty Pte Jack Higgins about to enjoy a peeled orange while his boss Maj Jake O'Donnell A Coy HQ 7 RAR watches his company file back into lines upon return to the 1 ATF base at Nui Dat on completion of Operation Caroline a search and destroy mission. (1967-1968)photograph, pte jack higgins, maj jake o'donnell, a coy, 7 rar, 1 atf, nui dat, nui nghe mountains, operation caroline, gibbons collection catalogue, search and destroy mission, 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 the batman Pte Jack Higgins, Chelsea, Victoria, opening a can, enjoys a joke with his boss Maj Jake O'Donnell MC, Woolgoolga, NSW, A Company, 7 RAR. (1967-1968) as he prepares an evening meal during Operation Caroline in the foothills of the Nui Nghe Mountainsphotograph, pte jack higgins, maj jake o'donnell, a coy, 7 rar, nui nghe mountains, operation caroline, 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 black and white photograph of diggers from 1st Australian Task Force, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, are briefed by the Provost Marshall on what is expected of them whilst on R & C leave in Vung Tau. The Military Police set the scene by giving the diggers their first beer freephotograph, 1 atf, nui dat, vung tau, military police, gibbons collection catalogue, r & c leave, phuoc tuy province, 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 Military Police conduct a last light TAOR (Tactical Area of Responsibility) patrol aroundthe 1st Logistics Support Base at Vung Tau. Each unit at 1st ALSG Base were rostered to undertake first and last light patrols looking for possible enemy activity.photograph, military police, 1st alsg base, tactical area of responsitility (taor), 1st logistics support base, vung tau, gibbons collection catalogue, taor patrol, 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 Pte Peter A. Allen of 9 RAR is escorted by a Military Policeman from the Court Marshall Centre at the 1st Logistic Support Base, Vung Tau. Pte Allen was being tried for the murder of his Platoon Commander Lt Robert Convery. Allen was ultimately convicted.photograph, court marshall, pte peter allen, lt robert convery, military police, 1st alsg base, vung tau, 9 rar, gibbons collection catalogue, murdered by soldier, 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 the Australian Forces Vietnam detention barack located at 1st Australian Logistic Support Base, Vung Tau. It was here that those diggers who wer responsible for the more serious breaches of good order and military discipline were sent.photograph, 1st alsg base, military police, vung tau, detention barrack, gibbons collection catalogue, diggers, military discipline, denis gibbons