Combat jacket : Captain M T Turrell, Royal Australian Infantry Corps

Place Asia: Vietnam, South Vietnam
Accession Number REL38081
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Uniform
Physical description Cotton sateen, Metal, Nylon, Plastic
Maker Intercon Apparel Company, Inc
Date made c 1965
Conflict Vietnam, 1962-1975
Description

Australian Issue jungle green combat jacket with a concealed press stud and zip closure. It has two patch breast pockets with press stud flap closures and two concealed hip pockets with press stud closures. The jacket has a draw string waits with loops at either end. The epaulettes have plastic buttons. A label sewn below the collar reads 'REGULAR LARGE Chest: From 41 and Upward Height: From 67 to 71 Inches 8405-082/5572'. Printed on an instruction label sewn to the inside of the jacket is 'COAT, MAN'S, FIELD, M-65'.

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 of the 28th Commonwealth Brigade, Turrell commanded 11 Platoon, D Company, 2 RAR, conducting patrols of the 'Black Zone' on the Malay -Thailand border from 1962 to 1963. This was aimed at suppressing continued Communist Terrorists (CT) activity in the region. Turrell was promoted to captain and in May 1966, he 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.