39 Ackland Street, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, used by the Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) during WW2

39 ACKLAND STREET
SOUTH YARRA, MELBOURNE, VIC
USED BY SERVICES RECONNAISSANCE DEPARTMENT (SRD)
DURING WW2

visits since 25 November 2002

A house at 39 Ackland Street, South Yarra in Melbourne, Victoria was used as the Headquarters for Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) during WW2. SRD's role was to undertake acts of sabotage in enemy-occupied territories and harbours. SRD had previously occupied "Airlie" at the corner of Punt Rd and Domain Rd but they were forced to relinquish this property possibly to the Allied Intelligence Bureau (AIB).

SRD was under the control of Lieutenant-Colonel P.J.F. Chapman Walker of the British Army who had his offices at 39 Ackland Street. When they were forced to vacate "Airlie", Chapman-Walker moved his Stores, Medical, Finance and Administration sections to the nearby Army Engineers' Depot in Batman Avenue.

SRD's Headquarters moved to Morotai in April 1944, however 39 Ackland Street retained its supply function until the end of the war.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Graham Shirley for his assistance with this home page.