Boonie Hat : Staff Sergeant T J Langford, 1 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

United States boonie hat in Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU) fabric. A webbing band is stitched around the crown to make vertical pockets at 30 – 35 mm intervals. These are designed to hold additional camouflage material if needed. There are two metal eyelets with mesh inserts for ventilation on each side of the hat. A label with care instructions is sewn inside the crown, and the owner's name, ‘43655 LANFORD TJ’, is written inside as well. The hat has a green chinstrap with a brown leather toggle attached.

Associated with the service of 43655 Staff Sergeant Trevor James Langford. Langford served in Vietnam with 1 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (RAR), attached to 173 US Airborne Regiment in South Vietnam from 1965 to 1966. He was a forward scout and at the relatively 'old' age of 26, was called ‘Pop’ by his mates. On return to Australia he served with 3 RAR for a year, before returning for a second tour of duty in Vietnam, this time with 9 RAR, from 1968 to 1969. Langford was a career soldier and remained army until his discharge on 13 September 1987. After his Vietnam service he had postings at 27 Royal South Australian Regiment; the Jungle Training Centre (JTC)/Land Warfare Centre (LWC) Canungra; District Support Unit (DSU) Perth and DSU Karrakatta; and to the Army apprentice school, Bandiana. On retirement he joined the Army Reserve and was Quarter Master for army cadets in South Australia. This American issue boonie jungle hat was worn on combat operations whilst serving with 1 RAR.