The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Coarse brown woollen pakol. The hat is made from six long panels of fabric, stitched together and attached to a circular crown which is lined with polyester fabric. The panels are rolled up to form the brim.
Afghan hat (known as a 'pakol') worn by Captain Mark Willetts of the Australian Army, during his service with the United Nations Mine Clearance Training Team (UNMCTT) in Pakistan and Afghanistan in 1991. UNMCTT, part of 'Operation Salam', a multi-national aid program for Afghanistan, was a joint Australian and New Zealand force involved in training Afghani refugees in mine awareness, recognition and defusing. Australia contributed some ten teams of engineers (each of between six and nine instructors) to this project between 1989 and 1993. Training was initially undertaken in Pakistan only, but by 1991, instructors were able to plan and oversee work carried out within Afghanistan. It was necessary for members of UNMCTT to wear traditional dress when moving in the Afghan countryside, as there was otherwise an unacceptable risk from snipers.
Khaki cotton drill brassard with elastic strap adjustment for sleeve and 48 mm button hole to accept shoulder strap. On the upper section of the brassard is a green rectangular machine embroidered cot
Khaki cotton drill brassard with elastic strap adjustment for sleeve and 48 mm button hole to accept shoulder strap. On the upper section of the brassard is a green rectangular machine embroidered cot
Khost, Afghanistan. c. 1991-10. Captain Mark Willetts beside the wreck of an Afghani Government aircraft, Antonov 32 (AN32). This is a Soviet plane bearing the insignia of the Afghani Government. Will
Khost, Afghanistan. 1991-09. Captain Mark Willetts and an Afghani demining instruction crew in a Russian tank, T-55. Willetts was an Australian member of the United Nations Mine Clearance Training Tea
Risalpur, Pakistan. 1992-05-25. Methods of mine clearance procedures are demonstrated to Pakistani and Afghan mine clearing personnel by Afghan instructors. The lectures, in an Afghan tent, were watch
Afghanistan. 1992-07-22. A Russian map of Khost with Afghan regime markings showing troop and minefield dispositions. It was used by members of the United Nations Mine Clearance Training Team - Afghan
Captain Mark R. Willetts (in Russian style hat) and Sergeant John "Jungles" Kirkham at a 7 Australian Services Contingent medal presentation night at the house used as the headquarters in Peshawar. Th
