CAMP SEYMOUR
AT SEYMOUR, VICTORIA
DURING WWII

Camp Seymour was originally an old WW1 facility at Seymour in Victoria about 90kms north of Melbourne. It was in the vicinity of today's Australian Light Horse Memorial Park. The now missing Mobilization Siding from the main railway line near Seymour Station may have been used for Camp Seymour.

The 41st Infantry Division moved to Camp Seymour after finding that Camp Darley and Camp Pell were unsuitable for training purposes. They slept in tents with floors at Camp Seymour but minus cots. They slept on bags stuffed with straw.

The following units of the 41st Infantry Division were located at Camp Seymour in June 1942:-

- Headquarters Company 41st Infantry Division (Tri)
- MP Co 41st Infantry Division (Tri)
- Hq & HQ Btry 41st Div Arty & Band
- 41st Recon Trp
- 41st Signal Co

Food was cooked in two oil drums converted into cookers. Usually one was full of mutton and the other contained stewed coffee.

Lieutenant Carl Wallace (or Wallace Carl) from Camp Seymour was killed instantly and Major Swift, was admitted to Puckapunyal Hospital in a critical condition when their car skidded and crashed into a tree at Broadford on Tuesday 7 July 1942.

The Digger Revue Camp Concert Party entertained the American troops at Camp Seymour on 2 May 1942.

American Soldiers cleaning their dixies before their meal at Camp Seymour

The men of Cannon Company, 162nd Infantry, 41st Division camped at Camp Seymour for some time before moving to Rockhampton, Queensland, arriving there on 30 July 1942.

The 84th Ordnance Company (Depot) of the US Army was also based at Camp Seymour. They were located there in June 1942.

REFERENCE BOOKS

"Yanks Down Under 1941-45 - The American Impact on Australia"
By E. Daniel Potts & Annette Potts

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 4 July 2004

This page last updated 24 January 2020