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Armoured Corps Avenue of HonourPrint Page Print this page

22-April-2014 (Sandra Brown)
22-April-2014 (Sandra Brown)

Photographs supplied by Graeme Saunders / Sandra Brown

Planted in 2004, the Avenue comprises of twenty-four Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus tricarpa) trees planted to commemorate members of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps who died in service or were killed in action in the Vietnam War. Each tree bears a name of a cavalry or armoured corps soldier.

The Avenue was unveiled in November 2004 by Major General Michael Jeffrey, Governor General of Australia (2003-2008) and the Chief of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie.  The Avenue has been augmented by the installation of an honour roll which contains photographs of the twenty-four soldiers and the placement of a Centurion tank.

Australia's military involvement in the Vietnam War began with the arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV) in South Vietnam during July and August 1962.  Australia's participation in the war was formally declared at an end when the Governor-General issued a proclamation on 11 January 1973.

However, the end-date of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War has officially been amended to 29 April 1975 to reflect Australia’s further involvement in the war during the fall of Saigon in 1975.  The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Australian War Memorial, in Canberra now recognise this new date.

 

 

Location

Address:Henderson Road & Mangan Street, Tongala, 3621
State:VIC
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -36.250703
Long: 144.948586
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Avenue of Honour
Monument Theme:Conflict
Sub-Theme:Vietnam
Actual Event Start Date:03-August-1962
Actual Event End Date:29-April-1975

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Sunday 7th November, 2004
Front Inscription

Avenue of Honour 

Plaque:

To commemorate servicemen of the Armoured Corps who gave their lives during the Vietnam War 

This Avenue of Honour was unveiled by His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffrey, AC CVO MC  Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia

7th November 2004

"Lest We Forget"

Left Side Inscription

"Lest We Forget"

[ Names & photographs ]

Inscription in Proximity

Centurion Tank (Mk3) number 169120

Manufactured in Great Britain from 1948 onwards.  Total of 4423 built.  Weight 52 tonnes.

Crew : 4 (Commander, gunner, loader, driver).
Armour 51 - 152 mm.  Main armament 20 pdr (84mm) rifled gun.
Secondary armament .30 cal Browning machine gun.
Engine Rolls Royce Meteor ; 5 - speed Merrit - Brown Z51R Mk. F gearbox 650hp (480 kw).
Operational range 80 kms Max. speed 35 km / h.

Centurion tanks were first deployed to Vietnam in February, 1968.  Overall 58 Centurions served in Vietnam ;
42 suffered battle damage, with six beyond repair.  Two crewman were killed in action, with many others wounded.  The tanks were withdrawn in 1971 and returned to Australia

Tank donated by Mr Michael Thompson of Tongala
Project funded by the Community Bank Tongala - Building Better Communities
 

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au