2 RESERVE
PERSONNEL POOL RAAF
54 MILE AREA, COOMALIE
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII
2 Reserve Personnel Pool was formed at 54 Mile Area on 12 July 1944 just to the west of Coomalie Creek Airfield. It came under the control of Headquarters North Western Area which was at 57 Mile near Coomalie. An initial draft of 80 Other Ranks arrived at 54 Mile. 9 Officers and 120 Other Ranks arrived the following day by air. Various numbers of Officers and ORs continued to arrive and depart over the life of the Unit.
Plan:- NAA Plan of RAAF Camp sites near
Coomalie Creek Airfield.
2 RPP camp site is marked in red pen at the top of this NAA plan
HQs North Western Area can be seen near the centre of
plan.
Telephone circuits were installed on 17 July 1944.
On 18 July 1944, the filling of hut areas with gravel commenced following receipt of a tip truck on loan from North Western Area.
On 19 July 1944, the working pool which had been responsible for the construction of all barracks was withdrawn and the balance of work then became the responsibility of 2 RPP.
On 20 July 1944, drains were cut using a bulldozer on loan from D.M.R.
On 21 July 1944, Transit Officers Huts to accommodate 20 Officers were completed in the Officers lines.
On 22 July 1944, Equipment Store fittings were completed.
On 23 July 1944, a quantity of Welfare material was received from the Area Welfare Officer and stored awaiting completion of the Recreation Hut in the Pool Area.
On 24 July 1944, the Equipment Store was opened after shifting all equipment that was held by NWA Detachment “A” from the old store.
On 25 July 1944, two Tippers were allotted for use at Pool. Only one was made available and it commenced filling work immediately.
On 31 July 1944, the Orderly Room and Office Fittings were completed.
The ORB for July 1944 had the following Appendix:-
APPENDIX
BARRACKS Barracks Huts 10 off, 60’x 16’ and 3 off 30’ X 16’ have been erected and are complete except for louvres and floors. Work on these buildings is proceeding and will be complete within one month. In addition accommodation for 20 Officers is now available. A Bordern Hut has been erected in Pool Barracks area for all tools in use by pool personnel. Orderly Room and Equipment Store are now complete. A concrete drain approximately 800’ and seepage beds have been constructed and are now in use. The camp site has been progressively cleaned by burning off undergrowth and removing dead timber. Work on roads is proceeding.
VISITORS During the month the unit was visited by G/Cpt. Watson (S.O.A.), G/Gpt. Counsel (P.M. O.), and F/Lt. Sampson (Aren Hygiene Officer)
WELFARE Equipment including a wireless set will be available as soon as a Recreation Hut has been erected. A P.A. System has been allotted. During the month a Mobile Cinema Unit screened for the first time at the new open air theatre. A weekly programme has been arranged through the Area Welfare Officer.
MEDICAL A vacancy exists in the Establishment for a Medical Officer. A Medical Officer from No. 1 Medical Receiving Station visits the Unit when required, This arrangement more or less satisfactorily.
TRANSPORT A delay in movement of personnel by road has been occasioned through lack of transport. Arrangements were made with No. 8 Transportation and Movement Office Detachment Batchelor to supply sufficient transport.
On 4 August 1944, Flying Officer Hoskin (Engineer Officer – 61 A.C.W. HQ) visited the unit to advise on the location of the new pumping plant.
A Field Court Martial was held on 14 August 1944 for L.A.C. O’Donnell.
The new Water Pumping Unit was received on 24 August 1944, and arrangements were made for it to be installed.
Unit strength on 30 September 1944 was as follows:-
Officers ORs
Staff 3 24
Pool 2 22
On 4 October 1944, Flying Officer James ceased duty as the Commanding Officer and command was taken over by Flying Officer Casey.
On 27 October 1944, a District Court Martial was held for AC1 Martin.
Unit strength on 31 October 1944 was as follows:-
Officers ORs
Staff 4 22
Pool 6 175
On 16 December 1944, DPMO and Area Hygiene Officer visited 2 RPP.
The following entry appears in the ORB for 28 December 1944. I’m not sure what it means:-
“54 Mile Area disbanded and 2 RPP was left in charge of the Camp which previously held several sections of NWA HQ. A detachment of 3 M.C.U. which is situated in the camp area, is based on 2 RPP for messing.”
Approximately 740 transit personnel were handled through 2 RPP in January 1945.
Approximately 1,200 transit personnel were handled through 2 RPP in February 1945.
Approximately 780 transit personnel were handled through 2 RPP in March 1945.
Approximately 1,200 transit personnel were handled through 2 RPP in April 1945.
Approximately 530 transit personnel were handled through 2 RPP in May 1945.
Approximately 927 transit personnel were handled through 2 RPP in June 1945.
On 4 August 1945, the Unit was stood down at 1230 hours in readiness for an intra-unit cricket match that was held that afternoon. Results of the cricket match were:- 53 OBU 150 runs – 2 RPP 103 runs.
On 6 August 1945, Unit censorship was ceased.
A Field Court Martial was held at 1015 hours on 9 August 1945 for Sgt. L.M. Christie (12773).
2 RPP was stood down on 11 August 1945 of organised spot at 1230 hours.
On 12 August 1945, a welfare picnic was held at Mindil Beach in Darwin.
With the announcement of the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the unit was stood down at 1230 hours on 15 August 1945. The Unit was also stood down on 16 August.
The Unit stood down at 1230 hours on 18 August 1945, for an intra-unit cricket match.
The Unit stood down at 1230 hours on 25 August 1945, for organised sport.
On 26 August 1945, a truck conveyed staff personnel to Mindil Beach in Darwin for a picnic. A Church of England Church Service was held in the Airmen’s Recreation Hut at 1700 hours.
Approximately 701 transit personnel were handled through 2 RPP in August 1945.
A Welfare Picnic was held at Mindil Beach on 2 September 1945.
The Unit stood down at 1200 hours on 8 September 1945 for a Swimming Carnival on Manton River.
On 15 September 1945, a farewell dinner and finals of Billiards, Table Tennis and Badminton were also held, followed by a Cricket match.
On 21 September 1945, the Rear Party arrived at Winnelli from Batchelor.
On 29 September 1945, the Unit stood down at 1200 hours and personnel were conveyed to Mindil Beach to go swimming.
On 14 October 1945, the Unit conducted a Welfare Picnic at Casuarina Beach.
Each Tuesday and Thursday evening a truck conveyed personnel to either the beach or the baths. Picnic Tea was provided. These trips were very popular with the staff.
A Welfare Picnic was held at Berry Springs on 18 November 1945.
The ORB for 2 RPP shows that on 20 December 1945, F/Lt J. F. Casey (7362) handed over command of 2 RPP to F/Lt Charles William Holmes (266092). Note:- I am unable to find J.F. Casey (7362) in the WWII Nominal Roll.
On 7 January 1946, six Japanese swords were received from North Western Area Headquarters for distribution amongst 2 RPP Staff. The Commanding Officer, F/Lt C.W. Holmes received one sword by virtue of his appointment and the remaining five swords were drawn by ballot.
On 20 January 1946, on instruction from NWA HQs work was started on cleaning up the camp site prior to disbandment. Approximately nine loads per day were carted from 54 Mile to the public rubbish dump,
The rest of the last page in the Unit ORB is badly blurred and almost unreadable.
REFERENCES
Operations Record Book - 2 Reserve Personnel Pool RAAF (starts page 64)
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This page first produced 26 October 2025
This page last updated 27 October 2025
