7TH MILITIA BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WW2

visits since 11 June 2000

Brigadier John Field was urgently returned from the Middle East in early 1942 to take charge of the 7th Militia Brigade to prepare them to defend north Queensland against a possible Japanese invasion.

The 7th Militia Brigade comprised the 9th Battalion, the 25th Battalion and 61st Infantry Battalions. They arrived in Townsville on 10 May 1942. They temporarily camped at Antill Plains. 7th Brigade Headquarters was located at Antill Plains in May 1942.

Brigadier Field then chose Rollingstone just 50kms north of Townsville as the most likely spot for the defence against a Japanese landing. The 7th Brigade moved to Rollingstone on 15 May 1942 and dug in their defensive positions along the coast at Rollingstone. They also prepared a number of fallback defensive lines in case they had to retreat towards Townsville. If this were to eventuate, they would be supported by the 11th Brigade and the 29th Brigade. Infantry training was only held two days per week with the rest of the time being devoted to digging in their defensive positions

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This page first produced 18 July 1998

This page last updated 17 February 2003