| Place | Asia: Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL39324.001 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Personal Equipment |
| Physical description | Metal, Nylon |
| Maker |
Conlons Australia |
| Place made | Australia |
| Date made | 1971 |
| Conflict |
Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
| Source credit to | This item has been digitised with funding provided by Commonwealth Government. |
Hootchie fly : Captain M T Turrell, Royal Australian Infantry Corps
Description
Army issue, olive green, nylon hootchie fly for use over a hootchie, or improvised one man tent, when slung over a line or branch, The hootchie fly has attached green nylon loops, metal rivets and press studs around the edge so that it can be used in various configurations, or joined to another hootchie fly, to form a larger shelter. Each corner is reinforced for additional strength. The makers label reads 'CONLONS / AUSTRALIA / 1971 / [broad arrow symbol] / 8465 / 66 / 013 / 5032'.
History / Summary
Born in Sydney on 19 January 1938, Maxwell Thomas Turrell was educated at Crows Nest Intermediate Boys High School and North Sydney Boys Technical High School. At both schools he served in the School Cadets, attaining the rank of cadet lieutenant. Turrell enlisted in the Australian Army in 1956, graduating from the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
In 1961, in the wake of the Malayan Emergency, Lieutenant Turrell served in Malaya with 2 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (RAR). Operating as part the 28th Commonwealth Brigade, Turrell commanded 11 Platoon, D Company, 2 RAR in conducting patrols the 'Black Zone' on the Malay -Thailand border, aimed at suppressing continued Communist Terrorists (CT) activity in the region in 1962 and 1963. In May 1966 Captain Turrell was deployed to South Vietnam as adjutant of 6 RAR. Following his service in the Vietnam War, Turrell was promoted to Major and appointed Officer Commanding 2nd Army Recruiting Unit. Major Turrell served in the Army until his discharge in 1981.