United Nations beret: Captain Ian Bottrell, 2nd Australian UNTAG Contingent, 8 Construction Troop, 17 Construction Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers Accession Number: REL/21240.003

Description

Light blue woollen beret with black synthetic band. The lining of the beret has been removed for better shaping. It is complete with the gilt and white enamelled United Nations badge. The donor's name is inked inside the beret.

Contextual Description

Worn by Captain Ian Bottrell who commanded 8 Construction Troop, 17 Construction Squadron, Australian Engineers, which formed a part of the 2nd Australian contingent to the United Nations Transition Assistance Group, Namibia (UNTAG) between August 1989 and April 1990.

On his arrival in Namibia Bottrell and his Troop occupied part of a South African Defence Force (SADF) base in Rundu on the Angolan-Namibian border. From this base they conducted a number of operations which included engineer support to the United Nations (UN)forces in north-eastern Namibia, SDAF munitions retrieval, demolition tasks and assistance to the local population.

During this time Captain Bottrell was promoted to captain and he and his Troop occupied the base until the removal of the UN forces in April 1990.

Bottrell graduated from Duntroon in 1986 as a lieutenant and completed a degree in civil engineering in 1987. In 1988 he was posted as a troop commander to the 20th Divisional Engineer Support Squadron where he remained until August 1989.

Details

Accession Number
REL/21240.003
Classification
Heraldry
Object Type
Headdress
Measurement
Overall: 220 mm x 268 mm x 87 mm
Date Made
c 1989
Place Made
Whole/Part
Whole
Item Count
1
Copyright
Copyright not applicable

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Accession REL/21240.003

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Last modified: 29 July 2026 - 12.48 am