Historical information

A trenching tool used in Vietnam war, carried by soldiers with their kit. This tool had multiple uses including digging in-field trenches, disposal of human waste, and an an improptu weapon in hand-to-hand combat.

Significance

This trenching tool is representative of filed kits issued to Australian soldiers in the Vietnam War. Length of handle suggests it was used by Sappers or Artillary.

Physical description

A portable folding shovel with a rivetted lip attached to a wooden handle. A metal tube is atached to the end of the handle. The metal blade is hinged by rivet to the metal tube on the end of the handle. A circular steel tube is on the metal tube.