| Accession Number | P02452.003 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white |
| Physical description | Black & white |
| Maker |
O'Halloran, John |
| Place made | Vietnam: Phuoc Tuy Province, Nui Dat |
| Date made | 17 February 1967 |
| Conflict |
Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright |
Informal group portrait of eight members of 5 Platoon, B Company, 6th Battalion, The Royal ...
Description
Informal group portrait of eight members of 5 Platoon, B Company, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), in the B Company lines at the Australian task force base. The photograph was taken in the morning, some hours before the platoon took part in Operation Bribie. Left to right: back row: 215985 Private (Pte) Christopher Bruce Weston, 15561 Lance Corporal (L Cpl) Kerry Michael Rooney, 1730853 Pte Leslie Wilson Nuffer, 1730895 Pte Mervyn David Benfer, 1730892 Pte Barry Kevin Bartsch; front row: 1730854 Pte Desmond John Neuendorff, 5713860 Pte Bernard Eugene Hooper, 3787617 Pte Colin Anthony Brown. 3787718 Pte Robin Charles Harris was absent from this photograph. These men formed the left hand forward section during the assault. L Cpl Rooney was killed in action later that day, and was awarded Mention in Despatches (MID) for his actions in the operaton. Privates Weston, Bartsch and Hooper were wounded in action during the operation. Pte Bartsch was wounded whilst loading wounded into the forward armoured personnel carrier which was disabled by enemy fire and later wrecked to prevent salvaging by the Viet Cong. He was awarded an MID.