US ARMY 44TH GENERAL HOSPITAL
BASE SECTION TWO
AT BLACK RIVER
NEAR TOWNSVILLE
DURING WWII

The US 44th General Hospital was located on the southern (or inland) side of the Bruce Highway on the Rollingstone side of Black River. It was a 1,000 bed hospital which was erected using about 162 prefabricated buildings in 1943. A bus service connected the hospital to Townsville city.

The Commanding Officer in May 1944 was Colonel J.W. Waddell.

I believe it was located near Nora Road, Jensen (just off Church Road).

The 44th General Hospital left Black River in October 1944. The hospital site was then taken over by the 89th Station Hospital.

Aerial view of 44th General Hospital at Black River

Aerial Photo 11 August 1961

The remains of slabs where buildings of the 44th General Hospital
 were located can be seen at bottom centre of the above photo

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 5 July 1998

This page last updated 24 June 2026