No. 3 Embarkation Depot RAAF

Aerial view of RAAF Sandgate - AWM p00279.022

Brief History

This Depot was formed at RAAF Station Sandgate, in Brisbane, on 16 Dec 1940, but was located temporarily at Amberley Air Force Base, before moving to Sandgate on 10 Apr 1941. Classes in navigation, armament and signaling were conducted, along with revision courses in navigation and Morse, and lectures on administration, Air Force law and first aid also held. PT, drill and organised sport were included in the daily activities of the Depot.

Personnel were posted to the Depot to be trop1cally kitted out, and wh1le there they were trained in aerodrome defence. By June 1943, all personnel were lectured on security of information and discipline. In April l944 the name of the unit changed to No. 3 Personnel Depot RAAF, and in July a transit camp was set up 1n the old Rocklea Showground. No. 3 Personnel Depot became the parent un1t at Sandgate on 6 Nov 1944 and training continued, w1th a live grenade throwing range being set up. Training films and documentary security films were screened, and WAAAF recruit training carried out.

Instructions to commence disbandment were received at the end of August 1946 and the depot ceased to function on 9 Sep 1946 before finally disbanding on 29 Jan 1947.

Unit Personnel

• Maxwell Gordon Parkin 29 Sep - 22 Oct 1942

Notes

Content has come from Units of the Royal Australian Air Force - A Concise History - Volume 9 Ancillary Units - Australian Government Publishing Service - 1995