The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. 1966-10. Firing a captured communist Chicom self loading rifle is Private Dennis Graham of Carlton, Sydney, NSW. On his right in the background is test supervisor, 2/7758 Warrant Officer 2 John William 'Jack' Kirby, Company Sergeant Major (CSM) D Company, 6th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR). The weapon was captured by D Company, the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), during the battle of Long Tan. Kirby distinguished himself at the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966 and was awarded the DCM on 21 December 1966 for his actions. However on 6 February 1967, whilst participating in Operation Tamborine, he was fatally wounded by artillery fire from the 161st Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA), when 12 105mm rounds accidentally fell on and around the D Coy Headquarters. This friendly fire incident killed four Australians (including Kirby) and wounded 13 others.
Vietnam. 1966-10. Evaluating a captured communist Chicom assault rifle during a test fire in Phuoc Tuy Province is Private Jeff Peters of Yagoona, Brisbane, Qld. On his right in the background is test
Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. 1966-10. Firing a captured communist Chicom light machine gun during an evaluation test is Private (Pte) Peter Dettman of Tinga, NSW. On his left in the background is test
Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam. 1966-10. Firing a captured communist Chicom light machine gun during an evaluation test is Private Peter Dettman of Tinga, NSW. On his left in the background is test super
Vietnam. 1966-10. 2/7758 Warrant Officer 2 John William 'Jack' Kirby, Company Sergeant Major (CSM) D Company, 6th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) of Windsor, Brisbane, Qld, (left), and
Nui Dat, Vietnam. 1967-01. 2/7758 Warrant Officer 2 John William 'Jack' Kirby Company Sergeant Major (CSM) D Company, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), and of Windsor, Brisbane, Ql
Informal portrait of 2/7758 Corporal (Cpl) John William 'Big Jack' Kirby, aged 23, of Lewisham, NSW, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. Whilst out on a jungle patrol, Cpl Kirby and three ot
