13TH STATION HOSPITAL
BASE SECTION TWO, TOWNSVILLE
DURING WW2

visits since 24 September 2000

The US Army 13th Station Hospital was based at the large 1,000 bed American hospital at Major Creek on the other side of Mt. Elliot between Giru and Woodstock (closer to Woodstock).  The main hospital building were made of iron and the wards were built from fibro and timber. The Medical Corps lived in square tents in the paddocks.  The hospital had its own electric generators and water was pumped from the local creek.

State Library of Queensland - Image number: 153176

Lt. Colonel George Rohrbacher next to the 13th U.S. Army Station hospital

The 13th Station Hospital then moved to the corner of Hatchett Street and Ross River Road, Aitkenvale, Townsville where a 450 bed hospital was established. Hut type buildings were placed 45 cms off the ground and they were connected by ramps. In July 1945 the site was taken over by the Headquarters Company.

Plan of the 13th Station Hospital at Aitkenvale

In May 1944, the Commanding Officer of the 13th Station Hospital was Major P.H. Milton.

I seem to remember that the St Thomas More Church in Palmerston Street, Pimlico Townsville was one of the buildings from this hospital at Hatchett Street. I remember it was a very hot and stuffy building with push out and tilt type windows. The building has long since disappeared.

State Library of Queensland - Image number: 153183

1st Lieut. John Radlinski of the 13th (Black Cat) in 1942. The Chaplain was
a Roman Catholic but conducted services for all religious denominations.

Photos:- via Monica and Trevor Cowling

Artie Shaw, Chief Specialist U.S.N., and his band play for patients of the
13^th Station Hospital, Aitkenvale, Townsville, on 24 September 1943.

Photos:- via Monica and Trevor Cowling

Senators Albert B. Chandler, Ralph O. Brewster and James M. Meade,
touring the 13^th Station Hospital at Aitkenvale, Townsville, stop to chat to
patients Cpl. Norman Lessard and Sgt. Frank H. North on 9 September 1943

 The site of the 13th Station Hospital is now partly occupied by the Holy Spirit Primary School, on the corner of Ross River Road and Hatchett Street, Cranbrook.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Monica and Trevor Cowling for their assistance with this web page.

Heaps of WW2 books available at Amazon.com

"Australia @ War"

This page first produced 5 July 1998

This page last updated 23 April 2008