A SHORT HISTORY TANK 169005

Former crew commander Peter Branagan (left) and current owner Peter Jarratt (right)

Centurion MK 3 tank 169005 arrived in Australia about October 1951, and was issued to the Armoured School at Puckapunyal for training. It remained with the Armoured School until late 1957, covering some 2600 miles during that time. Following a short period with 1st Armd Regt, 169005 was sent for base overhaul in late 1958, and upgrade to MK 5 standard. With the overhaul completed, 169005 was issued to 1st Armd Regt, where it remained until mid1965, when it was sent for its second base overhaul. This overhaul included an upgrade to Mk 5/1 standard, followed by further modifications to Mk 5/1 (Aust) standard during 1967.

It was issued again to 1 st Armd Regt in December,1967, being signed for by LT Jeff Adams. By the end of September, 1968, 169005 was with 1 Forward Delivery Troop in South Vietnam. By early May 1969.169005 was the Charlie CIS of 3 Troop, B Squadron, having covered over 800 miles on combat operations.The crew commander at the time was Whitney"Nobby" Clarke, the gunner was Chris Leiby, and the operator was John Bartlett. As the usual driver was on leave, James Kerr took over.

It was his first operation. On May 13 1969, 169005 detonated a large mine which extensively damaged the hull area of the drivers compartment. Jim Kerr was killed instantly and Chris Leihy was wounded. The tank was recovered back to Vung Tau and subsequently returned to Australia aboard HMAS Jeparit. Rebuilt at 4 Base Workshops, Bandiana, during the latter part of 1969, using a replacement hull sourced from New Zealand, 169005 was then issued to 1 st Armd Regt at Puckapunyal, where it remained for most of the 1970s.169005 completed its long service career on a high note. As C/S 12 B and named "Ancient", it was crew commanded by Peter Branagan when it formed part of the winning troop of Paratus Cup in 1976. It later took part in the last all Centurion Cambrai Day Parade at Puckapunyal. Sent to long term storage in 1977, it was sold to Combat Vehicles Australia Pty Ltd in 1989. Passing through a collector's hands in the interim,169005 was acquired by retired LT COL Peter Jarratt, a long serving RAAC officer and former CO of 1st Armd Regt. It is now restored and housed on his central NSW property. 169005 is one of two Centurion tanks involved in fatal mine incidents in South Vietnam:

The above article was sourced after an inquiry from Brian Wright seeking information on James Kerr. He would also, like to obtain information on the other crews present at the time of the incident. He was also filling in for someone on leave but can't remember who and on which vehicle he was driving. Can anyone help??

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