Historical information

The 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as a regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps on 1 May 1948 with Headquarters in Melbourne and squadrons in Sale, Benalla/Wangaratta and Albury. In 1955 Regimental Headquarters moved to Wangaratta and a second squadron was located at Albury. The Sale squadron transferred to 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse. In 1977 8/13 VMR Regiment was reduced to an independent squadron A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and in 1991 was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse forming the VMR Squadron of that regiment. Alan Cunningham joined the regiment as a trooper in 1948 and went on to command the regiment as a Lieutenant Colonel 1962-65.
The use of civilian vehicles was not uncommon inn early days of the regiment especially for activities such as radio training.

Significance

Unique collection of photographs showing the first years of an armoured regiment of the post-Second World War era Citizen Military Forces showing equipment, uniforms, training and social activity and some personalities.

Physical description

Black and white photograph of T-model Ford utility vehicle and two soldiers. One of a collection of photographs of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment between 1948 and 1951.

Inscriptions & markings

" Alan Cunningham's Staff Car - Ron Braddy Bonnet, Alan Cunningham Driver"