Volunteer Defence Corps Charleville, Queensland, in Australia during WW2

19TH BATTALION, VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS
CHARLEVILLE, QLD
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

At 11 am on the morning of Friday 3 April 1942 (Good Fiday), country residents in the Charleville area attended a meeting in Corones' Hall and unanimously decided to form a mounted unit in the 19th Battalion of the Volunteer Defence Corps in the Charleville District. Major J. R. Cain was appointed as the Commanding Officer of the unit with its Headquarters at Charleville and sub districts to be organised by selected organisers.

Major Cain advised the meeting that he had forwarded circulars to most of the men living in the country district. He had also advertised the meeting in the local press to attempt to advise any men that may have not received a circular.

Major Cain had discussed the V.D.C. question with General L. C. Wilson, who commanded the V.D.C. prior to General Meyer taking over as CO. General Meyer had formerly commanded the Ipswich V.D.C. Battalion. When the V.D.C. was only a part-time unit, very little could be achieved, but the appointment of permanent staff completely altered the situation, and General Meyer had a fully qualified staff operating under him and the V.D.C. was then on a wartime footing.

General Wilson had informed Cain that the new unit was likely to have its headquarters at Charleville. Rifles and ammunition had been issued to Nos. 2, 4 and 5 Battalions comprising the coastal areas as far as Townsville. The 19th Battalion would embrace the centre west of Roma, including Charleville and Cunnamulla, and a full-time officer would be stationed in the area.

Requirements of the V.D.C were the passing of a medical examination and attestment, ages ranging from 18 to 65, and it was possible that rifles and ammunition would shortly be issued to the 19th Battalion. Rifles would either be .303 or .310 probably the latter, and they would be serviceable, especially in the hands of men who were accustomed to using rifles.

Major Cain stated that it was useless men ringing up on the telephone and saying that they would support the V.D.C., but could not come along because they were doing certain work on a particular day. He stated that if men became attached to the unit they had to make the time available for training because if they had to go into action other jobs could not be used as an excuse. Major Cain stated that training was most essential because in time of national emergency the V.D.C. especially the mounted units, would be called upon to play an important role in the defence of the country, and it was necessary to know what to do when the occasion arrived.

Major Cain indicated that if the mounted unit was formed, members would have to supply their own horses and equipment, and several men in the district had made promises to furnish quite a large number of horses and equipment. To facilitate training he suggested that Charleville be headquarters, with sub districts allocated such as Augathella, Langlo, Ward, Clara Creek, Wyandra, and Yanna with a man appointed to each sub-district and responsible for its organisation.

The question of petrol had been mentioned to General Wilson, and he said that no difficulty would be experienced on that score. It was unfortunate that Warrant Officer Coutts, who was permanently attached to the V.D.C. staff, could not be resent that day, but he had to go to Cunnamulla with Lieutenant Richardson where a big rally was being held at Burrenbille. Warrant Officer Coutts would probably be available to visit the sub-districts of the mounted unit and to cover the area quickly it would be necessary for a motor conveyance, but all that would be arranged.

It was agreed that formation of a mounted unit of the V.D.C. would easily be accomplished in the Charleville district, as the country residents were able to ride well and knew how to handle a rifle with skill, all that was needed was essential training in warfare. Knowledge of the country was another vital point, and should the area be invaded, the men of the district would be able to play an important part in defending the area.

Messrs Boyd and Berry moved for the formation of a mounted unit of the 19th Battalion of the V.D.C. in the Charleville district. The motion was carried unanimously.

Messrs Starky and Berry moved that Major J. R. Cain be appointed leader, with power to select his own staff. The motion was carried unanimously and Major Cain announced the appointment of Messrs. H. Fitzgerald and V. McNamara as staff members. Mr. Norman McMillen was appointed second in command of the unit. Organisers for Sub-districts were appointed as follows:-

Members present at the meeting subscribed to a fund which was to be operated in the interests of the new unit. Major Cain and Mr. Fitzgerald were authorised to operate the account.

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