CAMP STAFFS 1 L OF C SUB AREA (NORTH QUEENSLAND)
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

In May 1942 Headquarters, 1 L of C Sub Area at Townsville established Camp Staffs at Townsville and Sellheim. A Camp Staff was established on Magnetic Island in May 1943 where a rest camp was setup possibly for the men operating the facilities associated with the Magnetic Battery. In James G. Porters book "Discovering Magnetic Island" he refers to:-

"Not until the second World War did Florence Bay hum again to the sound of many voices - those not too unfortunate soldiers and sailors who were posted to the Fort Battery overlooking the enticing beach below. Two of the present scout huts were constructed at that time as a recreation base for the servicemen".

So it would appear that the initial rest camp established by the Australian Army Camp Staff was at Florence Bay. Thirty six acres of land in that area was handed over to the Boy Scout's Association by the Lands Department on about 4 September 1945 on a 30 year lease for a nominal rental of Ł1 per year.

Private James Reginald Dunning (NX155094), a member of Camp Staff Magnetic Island was court martialled on 22 August 1945.

By mid 1944 the Camp Staff at Magnetic Island were absorbed into the Arcadia Rest Camp at Arcadia and the Camp Staff at Townsville and Sellheim were reduced to Camp "Q" Staffs. By March 1945 Camp Staff in Townsville were withdrawn as transit troop numbers had reduced significantly and 13 Personnel Staging Camp at Oonoomba and 19 Personnel Staging Camp at Julago looked after the transit troops.

Magnetic Island during WWII

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Graham McKenzie-Smith for his assistance with this web page.

REFERENCES

The Unit Guide, The Australian Army 1939-1945 Volumes 1 - 6
by Graham McKenzie-Smith

Discovering Magnetic Island
by James G. Porter

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products