CAMP DOOMBEN
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND
DURING WWII
Eagle Farm Airfield -
Aircraft hangars at bottom end of open area,
Eagle Farm Race Track (Camp
Ascot) at far left and Doomben Race Track
(Camp Doomben) to its right.
The Gateway Motorway snakes upwards through the centre of the photo
1944 Photograph showing Camp Doomben and surrounding areas
There were two race tracks near Eagle Farm airfield in Brisbane during World War 2. They were both taken over and converted to Military Camps. One was known as Camp Doomben and the other was Camp Ascot. The only horse races held in Brisbane during World War 2 were at Albion Park race track.
Camp Doomben and Camp Ascot were located on either side of Nudgee Road. Camp Ascot is still a race track and is now called Eagle Farm Race Track.
During the war, the middle of both race tracks were filled with tents.
The 583rd Signal Air Warning Battalion, US Army left Camp Stoneman, San Francisco, USA on 25 July 1943 and after a voyage across the Pacific Ocean they arrived in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on 16 August 1943 where they camped in Camp Doomben. They left Camp Doomben in August 1943 arriving in Port Moresby on 19 September 1943.
OCTOBER 1943
Commanding Officer:
Lt. Col. Hendrick, W.L.
Executive Officer:
Major Stout, G.W.
Adjutant:
Capt. Braidwood, G.C.
Sergeant Major (Camp Headquarters
Personnel Section:
Lt. Rogers, M.L.
Billeting Officer:
Capt. Owen, S.S.
Lt. Von Ellis
Casual Mess No. 1
Casual Mess No. 2
Capt. Ingli, C.A.
Commander's and Staff Officers' Quarters
American Red Cross Representative
Dental Clinic:
Capt. Hansen, R.T.
Dispatcher (Gate No. 1 Nudgee Rd.)
Dispensary:
Major Sicherman, K.L. (Surgeon)
Capt. DiNorcia, J. (Assistant Surgeon)
Admitting Clerk
Duty Officer (1800 to 2300 hrs)
Duty Clerk (1800 to 0800 hrs)
Entrance Gate:
No. 1 Nudgee Road
Guard Tent (Gate No. 1)
Message Center
Orderly Room (Officers)
Post Exchange
Post Exchange Office:
Major Holliday, D.D.
Lt. Hanson, R.M.
Chief Clerk
Warehouse No. 1
Warehouse No. 2
Special Service Office:
Lt. Haslam, J.M.
3rd Camp Co.
Capt. Proctor, C.M. (Commanding Officer)
Transient Camp
Troop Movement Office:
Capt. Owen, S.S.
Officers' Mess:
Capt.Baudoin, J.C.
In 1943 there were approximately
1,271 tents inside
the track with many more located outside the track
Note the tents to the north west
of the track and
the aircraft lined up at the nearby Eagle Farm Airfield
Camp Doomben and Eagle Farm Airfield
in 1943
The Stores buildings at Hendra can
be seen at the bottom right of the photo.
Photo:- via Sharon Sperry
Chow line at Camp Doomben
Can anyone help me with more information?
"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products
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This page first produced 7 August 2000
This page last updated 24 January 2020