We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Untitled image
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Gary Bray landed in South Vietnam as a recently married, freshly minted second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. His assignment was not enviable: leading the platoon whose former members had committed the My Lai massacre - the murder of Vietnamese civilians - eighteen months earlier. In this compelling memoir, he shares his experiences of Vietnam in the direct wake of that terrible event.
Copy of once secret document recording the movements and daily activity of the HMAS Brisbane created in June 1971. Addressed to the Flag Officer Commanding, Her Majesty's Australian Fleet. Signed by Captain R G Loosli.
Seventeen typed A4 pages, Report of Proceedings, pages stamped SECRET. (Copy)
hmas brisbane, report of proceedings, navy, ran, 1971, royal australian navy, loosli, captain loosli
This robe was worn by G.G.Ashworth, RAAF 0315515, when he was serving as a chaplain (3rd class) in Vietnam from 30/11/65 until 17/02/66.
This robe was worn by G.G.Ashworth RAAF 0315515 when he was serving as a chaplain in Vietnam from 30/11/65-17/02/66
Blue cotton fabric(gabardine) ecclesiastical robe with pleated back. Crossover lapels have four black plastic buttons. Robe is partly lined with black taffeta and has a stand-up collar.
ecclesiastical robe, vietnam, 1965-1966, ashworth, chaplain, raaf, robe, priest
This certificate was awarded to news photographer Denis Gibbons to mark his time on USS New Jersey BB62. Gibbons spent 5 years in Vietnam, and photographed the tours of nine Australian infantry battalions for Fairfax press and United Press International. This is a non-official certificate signed by the commanding officer Edward Snyder Jnr.
Paper with hard cardboard backing of under water scene-white with blue and gold writing. Banner heading in gold writing. Picture of a battleship top LHS, mermaids x2 holding a painters pallet, Anchor with chain. Emblem of battleship bottom RHS. Swordfish and sharks depicted.
Battleship Brethren heading. USS New Jersey BB 62 Firepower for Freedom. Denis Gibbons
denis gibbons, battleship brethren, march 1969, crewmember certificate, uss new jersey, gibbons, honorary certificate, us navy
This duffel bag was used during the Vietnam war by National Serviceman Private Wayne Edward Maschette, Army number: 5716538, who served in 8RAR, 1969-70,
Long green canvas bag with a large white painted label. Brown stencilled printing of name and number of soldier. Brown, blue and yellow stripes and a picture of kangaroo on left hand side. Base of bag is covered in white paint with a black strip through the middle. Eight corroded metal rivets at the top of the bag where cord to close it would go.
Front- 1023 5716538 PTE W.E. Maschette. Back- 8RAR E NOGGERA. His name and 5716538 all marked in texta.
duffel bag, 8rar, army issue, bag, pack, maschette, vietnam war
Matt Flinders and the ABC Showband entertaining troops in Vietnam Christmas 1970. flinders was a popular singer and TV presenter who in the late 1960s-early 70s in Australia.
Photo of a male singer on stage with another male standing in the background. The singer has a hand held microphone.
ABC Showband Xmas 1970. Matt Flinders on vocals, Brian May in the background.
vietnam, matt flinders, abc showband, brian may, entertaining
An unknown singer entertaining the troops in Vietnam backed by the ABC Showband, Christmas 1970.
Black and white photograph of a woman singer with a hand held microphone on stage. she is wearing a floral patterned full-length kaftan. Male in the background behind a drumkit.
abc showband, vietnam, entertainer, performer
A photograph of Linda George singing for the troops in Vietnam, Xmas 1970, you can see the back of Brian May conducting the ABC show band.
Black and white photograph of young woman on stage with a hand held microphone. She is wearing an abstract -patterned mini-dress with halter neck. Man in the background standing with back to her.
abc show band, xmas 1970, vietnam, linda george, brian may, performers, entertainers
Vocalist Gabrielle Hartley performing with the ABC Showband, conducted by Brian May, Vietnam, Christmas 1970.
Black and white photograph of a woman on stage with a handheld microphone. She is wearing a long tight-fitting lurex dress and has long hair. There are three males in the background , two sitting and one standing with his back to her.
women singing, abc showband, gabrielle hartley, vietnam
,Unknown female singer, Gabrielle Hartley and Linda George entertaining the troops with the ABC Showband in Vietnam, Christmas 1970.
Black and white photograph of three women singing into two microphones on stands. They are dressed formally.
singing, vietnam, linda george, abc showband, 1970, gabrielle hartley, entertainers, performers
This captured enemy flag bears the signatures of 9RAR, 1969. It was collected by Private Lionel Leslie Corrie, Service no:1201398, who served in Vietnam 1968-1969. It is the flag of The People’s Army of Vietnam, the communist North Vietnamese Army (NVA) which infiltrated and then invaded South Vietnam between 1955 and 1975. It is believed that the members of 9RAR signed this at a reunion after the war had finished.
Faded red and blue material flag with a yellow five pointed star in the center. Gold Vietnamese embroidered lettering at the top on the red/orange half of the flag and on the bottom blue half of the flag. Autographed by Australian soldiers in black. Sewn with red cotton. Red and blue flag of the People’s Army of Vietnam.
Vietnamese writing at top and below the yellow star. LUCLUONG VO TRANG GIAI PHONG MIEN NAM VIET NAM. GIAI PHONG NUI DAT 1968.
flag, 9rar, people's army of vietnam, captured, corrie, lionel corrie, north vietnam, north vietnamese army, nva
This airline ticket is typical of those issued to Australian Defence Force personnel traveling to Vietnam. This particular item was issued to Corporal Peter Stanley Sims, Service no: 44304, who served in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, Headquarters, Australian Force Vietnam (Army Component) from24 September 1969 until 24 September 1970.
Printed Qantas ticket and foolscap information sheet. Yellowed paper with red printing on the front of the ticket and black printing on the bottom half of the reverse. The information paper is yellowed with age and printed in black. There are 6 paragraphs detailing instructions for the armed forces when arriving in Vietnam.
Qantas/charter passenger ticket and baggage check. In blue pen on the back "Tong Doe Phuory Cholou" handwritten.
airline ticket, qantas, information page, traveling to vietnam, peter sims oam jp, nvvm
Typical example of Qantas Airline ticket issued to armed forces personnel leaving Vietnam for Australia for R&R, with. Australian Customs form and declaration to be filled in by traveller. Briefing sheet listing arrangement for departure and arrival in Australia. This item was issued to Corporal Peter Stanley Sims who served in Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, Headquarters, Australian Force Vietnam (Army Component) 1969-70.
Qantas airline ticket. Australian customs paperwork, double sided information and declaration sheet. The ticket is printed in red ink. Australian Force Vietnam briefing letter for travelling to Australia from Vietnam typed in black ink.
Qantas 000067 charter passenger ticket and baggage check. Customs paperwork and briefing notes for travelling to Australia.
qantas, airline ticket, nvvm, customs declaration, leaving vietnam, p.sims oam jp, r&r, recreation vietnam
Small Australian flag, red and white ensign with 6 white stars depicting the Southern Cross constellation on a blue background. White border on left hand side with "Australia" printed in blue ink.
Australia on the white border.
flag, australia, nvvm, peter sims oam jp
This flag represented the North Vietnamese people. After the war it was adopted as the national flag and is referred to as the Flag Of the Socialist flag of Vietnam now.
Red colored small flag with bright yellow star in the center. It is bordered in white with Vietnam printed in red.
"Vietnam"
flag, vietnam, nvvm, peter sims oam jp, north vietnamese
This item shows Vietnam serviceman Corporal Peter Sims of Headquarters, Australian Force Vietnam (Army Component), 1969-70 on R & R.
Faded color photograph of two people-a man and a woman-seated with a crowd in the background. They are formally dressed and there is food on a table in front of the female. The photo is surrounded by a white border.
On the back of the photo " Best hotel for R&R approved by the B&R Centre Bangkok Hotel: Tapei, Taiwan. No 76.........Road Taipei Taiwan. R.O.C. Tel 559589-9 (all in blue ink) R&R 1970 see receipt written in black pen.
peter sims oam jp., nvvm, sims, r&r, vietnam war
Collected by an Australian soldier on R&R, this receipt was issued when he took a waitress out to accompany him to a night club.
Pink paper with black printing. Writing is in blue ink, with ticks over certain areas on the form.
Registration Form For Outgoing Of Waitress/Shanghai Bar/Sims P.
certificate, registration, peter sims, nvvm, shanghai bar, royal australian army medical corps
A typical handset for a heavy duty radio communications set used in the field in Vietnam.
Curved black plastic phone handset with coiled lead. There is a five pin plug/screw on plug at the end of the cord. Heavy duty unit.
Handset H-250/U. Sonetronics Contract DAAB07-93-D-G010 US on handset. MFG 79 566 May 94 on the lead.
handset, field radio, vietnam war, communications, signals, radio
This flag was retrieved from a North Vietnamese tunnel by Lionel Corrie (tunnel rat) who served in 9th Battalion.
Red and blue flag with a Gold five pointer star embroidered in the center over the two colors. Gold lettering in Vietnamese language across the top (four words); Gold lettering on the blue half (embroidered) with four words and 1969.
QUYET CHIEN QUYET THANG. CHIEN THANG VUNG TAU 1969
flag, tunnel rat, north vietnamese, lionel corrie, 9th battalion
Standard issue item as used by Australian servicemen during conflict in Vietnam.
Brown colored canvas webbing with brass attachments; buckles; hooks; eyelets. Used for various attachments to equipment and clothing.
belts, suspenders, webbing, brass attachments, uniform, vietnam equipment
Standard issue utility pouch as used by armed forces during the war in Vietnam.
Brown canvas pouch. Brass press stud at front with three small compartments in lid. Brass buckle on back with two brass clasps for attachment to uniform.
pouch, canvas, brass fittings, utility pouch, military equipment
In the Vietnam conflict, Australian troops used these multi-purpose ropes to aid travel in the jungle at night or when crossing rivers, to join together with poles as stretchers, and to secure prisoners.
Dark green rope assembly: single leg, cotton/jute. Rope is coiled with a loop at each end. Single loop at one end and a double loop at the other end.
vietnam, toggle rope, military equipment, rope
Standard issue utility pouch used by military during the conflict in Vietnam.
Small well-used canvas pouch, rectangular with gusset sides and flap at top. Attachments are made of metal and brass. Press stud to close top flap.
pouch, army issue, utility pouch, military equipment, vietnam
Dated 1964, these are standard issue pouches, designed to carry ammunition during the conflict in Vietnam.
Khaki canvas ammunition pouch with four compartments each with a strap and fastener made from webbing with a metal clasp. Dividers are metal capped. Webbing on back for attaching to soldier's belt.
Black printing on inside of pouch. 8465-66-021-1977 C.C.C.F. ^.1967
ammunition pouches, canvas, 1967, khaki, equipment, military equipment
In the Vietnam conflict, Australian troops used these ropes at night and crossing rivers to assist in keeping soldiers together. They were also used with wooden poles when making stretchers in the field and to secure prisoners.
Green fibre rope assembly, single leg, polyester toggle rope. Rope is coiled with a loop at both ends.
toggle rope, vietnam war, military equipment, rope, vietnam
Standard issue cotton scrim/ scarf was used by soldiers in Vietnam. Colloquially known as a sweat rag.
Olive green loose weave, cotton scarf. Material open square pattern uniform throughout with border in tighter knit on both sides of scarf.
scarf, soldier, cotton, sweat rag, uniform, vietnam
The poodle was purchased at the PX store in Vietnam by a soldier returning home as a present for his girlfriend (later to become his wife). Andrew Clyne, Service no: 3799091, served in 110 Signal Squadron, Vietnam, in 1971.
Two-toned blue synthetic toy poodle with a gold collar and chain around its neck. It has two brown glass eyes, a black plastic nose and red felt tongue. A metal zipper under belly conceals the mechanism of a transistor radio.
Transister Japan/ Novelty/ Vol/ Tuner/ Made in Japan on tag attached to hind leg. Red NOVELTY printed on control.
toy poodle, japan, transistor radio, clyne, 110 signals, andrew clyne
See Survival knife cat. no. 2024.17.1
Brown leather knife scabbard with cotton stitching and a thin leather tie at the top.
scabbard, leather, us army kabar knife, ka-bar, knife
Sapper L S Sempel of Royal Australian Engineers traded an Australian Army shirt for this knife, then used it to probe for mines during his service, 1966-1967.
Knife with metal blade attached to a wooden handle and bolt hilt. The handle is made up of six wooden spheres joined to the blade. A wooden bolt secures the spheres.
Shelham 4131 Japan inscribed on the knife blade.
knife, mines, survival knife, us army kabar knife, kabar, engineer, sapper, vietnam, trade, sempel, ka-bar
Standard issue multi-use tool as used by Australian servicemen during the conflict in Vietnam (1962-1972).
Foldable metal shovel with pick, has a release winder at the top of a long wooden handle, which is painted white.
shovel, spade, pick, entrenching tool, vietnam
Medals awarded for service in the Vietnam War. This set is as presented to Private Lionel Leslie Corrie, Service number 1201398, who served in 9RAR from 09/11/1968 to 09/04/1969 (152 days).
A rack of five replica medals attached to colourful striped ribbons. two have silver bars. Silver Australian active service medal 1945-75; Silver Elizabeth Reign DEI GRATIA; Silver Australian defence medal; Bronze anniversary of national service 1951-'72; Gold & Green enamel white star with peace sign.
vietnam, adf, medal, awards, corrie, 9rar, service medals, vietnam service
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
