Basic web set : 2nd Lieutenant R Woolan, Headquarters Company, 1 Australian Task Force

Basic web set consisting of: a M1956 green cotton web belt with blackened brass ball fastener buckle, four brass sliding keepers, hook adjustments and eyelet attachment fittings; one field dressing/compass storage pouch with a brass drain eyelet in the bottom, a hooded flap and press stud closure. Inside the flap the pouch is stamped in white '9465-50-577-4927 [broad arrow symbol] C.G.C.F. 1966'; two British pattern 1937 ammunition pouches. The backs of these pouches usually have a pair of double hooks for attachment to the Pattern 1937 webbing belt and a verticle steel loop by which it may be suspended from other belts. These attachments have been removed from the back of one of the pouches, and in this instance, both pouches have been modified by 2nd Lieutenant Woolan for the M1956 belt by having slits cut in the sides for the belt to pass through; a plastic water bottle in a M1956 pattern pouch with pile lining and press stud fasteners on the outside. Cotton webbing is sewn to the back of the pouch to allow two slide keepers to be set in place. This then enables the pouch to be attached to a web belt; a second water bottle in a 1944 pattern pouch, with felt lining and press stud fasteners on the outside. In addition to the two slide keepers, this pattern pouch has a loop and belt hanger attached to the back enabling it to be slung low on the belt. Both plastic water bottles are marked in raised lettering on the front 'FOR WATER ONLY DO NOT APPLY CANTEEN TO OPEN FLAME OR BURNER PLATES'. The bottom of the first water bottle is marked 'BP 1967 [broad arrow symbol] 8465-71-108-8703'. The bottom of the second water bottle is marked 'BMW 19[illegible] [broad arrow symbol] 8465-66-086-8349'.

Web set worn by Raymond Woolan during his service in Vietnam.

Raymond 'Mick' Woolan was born at Blacktown, New South Wales in 1946. He was working as a teller at the Cessnock branch of the Bank of New South Wales when he was called up in the seventh national service intake in April 1967. After completing a selection process at Singleton, New South Wales Woolan was sent to officer training at Scheyville, New South Wales, which he completed in October 1967. He was then allotted to the infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant (2LT). He deployed to Vietnam with 1 Reinforcement Unit in September 1968, and was posted to A Company, 1 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in December of the same year. This posting was to replace 2LT Terry Langlands, who had been killed in action on 24 November 1968. Langlands had been a friend of Woolan's during their infantry training at Singleton. 1 Battalion returned to Australia in February 1969, whereupon 2LT Woolan was transferred to Headquarters Company, 1 Australian Task Force (1ATF) as Platoon Commander, Defence and Employment Platoon. In May 1969, 1ATF commander Brigadier C M I 'Sandy' Pearson began deploying this platoon in mobile operations with armoured units.

On the afternoon of 27 May 1969, the Defence and Employment Platoon were on operations with tanks of B Squadron, 1 Armoured Regiment in the Courtenay rubber plantation near the Long Khanh provincial border. Woolan's platoon established an ambush in a suspected Viet Cong staging area, and, at about 6 pm engaged a group of approximately twenty five Viet Cong. A second group of Viet Cong then appeared, and were also engaged. These were followed by a third group, who attempted to encircle the Australian position. Woolan and his men were now seriously outnumbered, but Woolan directed the fire of his soldiers and that of supporting mortars in order to regain the initiative. He then called for armoured assistance. The Viet Cong continued to press their attack but were repulsed by the Australians, and eventually withdrew upon the arrival of B Squadron's tanks. For his courage and leadership during this action 2LT Woolan was awarded the Military Cross.

Woolan's uniform, equipment and rifle were collected in Vietnam specifically for the Australian War Memorial by another officer, Captain A J 'Jack' Balsillie, who was himself posted to 1ATF Headquarters. Woolan donated his kit immediately prior to his return to Australia in September 1969. Upon his discharge from the army he returned to work at the Bank of New South Wales.