Camp Staffs, Western Command

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Brief History

With mobilization in December 1941 came the need for permanent cadres of staff to manage not only the pre war camps in Western Australia, but also those being established as units arrived from the eastern states to counter the possible Japanese advance on the western side of the continent. Locations and duration of operation were flexible, and in August 1943 all Engineering staff were formed into two platoons, one at Northam and the other at Karrakatta.

Camps and periods of operation (if known) with personnel were:

Ascot

April 1942 - August 1942

• Harold Higham 15 Oct 1940 - 12 Jul 1942
• Joseph Craven 23 Apr - 14 Jul 1942

Bellevue

April 1942 - June 1943

Chidlows

April 1942 - June 1943

• John William Watson 8 May 1942 - 29 Jun 1943

Claremont

April 1942 - June 1943

• Roma Joyce Babb 27 Sep - 19 Oct 1942

Exmouth

May 1943 - June 1943

Garden Island

May 1943 - June 1943

Helena Vale

April 1942 - May 1943

Karrakatta

December 1941 - June 1943

• Arvonia (Jean) Curtis 29 Jun 1942 - 19 Jul 1943
• Joseph Craven 15 Jul 1942 - 6 Feb 1946 - Camp Chaplain

Melville

December 1941 - June 1943

• Roma Joyce Babb 1 - 27 Sep 1942 & 19 Oct 24 Dec 1942
• Angus Sherwood James 30 May - 10 Jun 1942
• Margaret Frances Saw 1 - 14 Mar 1943 & 18 Sep 1944 - 3 Jan 1945
• Albert Edward New 8 Nov 1943 - 15 Feb 1944

Northam

December 1941 - June 1943

• Margaret Frances Saw 15 Mar - 22 Nov 1943

Point Walter

April 1942 - May 1943

Rottnest

December 1941 - June 1943

Swanbourne

December 1941 - May 1943

Werribee WA

August 1942 - June 1943

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 4 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, page 6.416 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018