Western Command Bulk Issue Petrol and Oil Depot

Unit colour patch

Brief History

Western Command BIPOD was raised at Swan Barracks, Perth in January 1942 before moving to Karrakatta in February., and then in March to Melville first and then Naval Base. By April they had expanded to their full war establishment and had a name change in May to WA Line of Command Area BIPOD. In June their headquarters reached their final location at Salters Point in June and their main depot was established at Forrestdale. They also maintained smaller depots around Perth as well as at Moora Mullewa, Geraldton and Cunderdin. Other depots were established later at Port Hedland, Broome, Derby and Onslow.

As the war receded from WA, many depots were handed back to the oil companies, and in December 1944 the unit was known as Western Command BIPOD. When the war ended the unit was in the process of disbanding.

Unit Personnel

• Allan Denman Baldwin 16 Apr 1943 - 24 Oct 1945
• Frederick Thomas Carlisle 11 Nov 1942 - 11 Jul 1946
• Frederick Joseph Humphrey 4 May - 8 Aug 1944
• John Ernest Law-Davis

Detached from Employment Companies

• James Douglas Aitken 9 Jun - 13 Aug 1944
• Alfred Edward James Tresidder 9 Sep - 10 Oct 1944 (Davilak) & 11 Jun - 5 Sep 1945 (Forrestdale)

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 5 - The Australian Army 1939-1945 - page 5.048 Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018