Armoured Corps Avenue of HonourPrint Page
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 |
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State: | VIC |
Area: | AUS |
GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -36.250703 Long: 144.948586 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
Monument Type: | Avenue of Honour |
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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 |
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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"
"Lest We Forget"
[ Names & photographs ]
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