RAAF FUEL DEPOT AND STORE
AND USAAF FUEL DEPOT
GLENROY SCOUR SIDING

The following report is from the History of the Queensland Main Roads Commission 1939 - 1945:-

Charleville
Three petrol storage tanks each of 25,000 gallons capacity were built at Charleville for the United States Air Force, the Main Roads Commissions carrying out all the work incidental thereto.

There was a dispersal taxiway cleared to 140 feet wide from Charleville Airfield to Glenroy Railway Siding.

The three large 25,000 gallon Fuel Tanks installed for the Americans can be seen in the plan below for the RAAF's Fuel Depot and Store at Glenroy Siding. 15 Operational Base Unit at Charleville Airfield operated the Fuel Depot and Store at Glenroy Siding. It is assumed that the USAAF eventually recovered those three 25,000 gallon tanks for reuse elsewhere. A search for a modern 25,000 gallon tank reveals today's typical size is 35 feet long by 12 feet diameter. The 12,000 gallon tank on the plan below was probably owned by the RAAF and was 30 feet long by 9 feet diameter.

Plan:- NAA: J1018, LS629; RAAF Fuel Depot and Store Glenroy Siding, Parish of Charleville, County of Orrery.

RAAF Fuel Depot and Store at Glenroy Siding

Meeting No. 57, Allied Works Council Queensland Division
Notes on conference between Messrs H.W. Barker and L.J. Price (representing the Deputy Director-General of Allied Works) on 21 August 1942. Mr. W.A. Rogers also was present.

962. PETROL STORAGE TANKS - CHARLEVILLE AERODROME

It was noted that advice has been received from the Officer in Charge, Main Roads Commission, Charleville, that Col. Kruse, Base Commandant, U.S.A. Air Corps at Charleville, had urgently requested installation of another 25,000 petrol storage tank. Excavation is complete and installation has commenced.

Co. Kruse said that he would arrange for the necessary requisition immediately, but such requisition has not been received to date.

It was decided that Mr. Price will take up with the U.S. Authorities the question of lodging of the necessary requisition.

        MR. PRICE:   For action.

Meeting No. 58, Allied Works Council Queensland Division
Notes on conference between Messrs J.R. Kemp and H.W. Barker on 22 August 1942

974. BULK STORAGE TANKS, GLENROY SIDING, CHARLEVILLE, U.S.M. 101

Blank requisition for equipment to and necessary excavation for concrete foundations for setting of 25,000 gallon bulk storage tank at Glenroy siding adjacent to the existing siding work was received. The requisition indicated that all plumbing work is to be done by the Shell Co.

Mr. Barker advised that telephonic advice had been received that it had not been decided yet whether the installation should proceed.

It was decided that the requisition should be lodged on the Main Roads Commission through the Co-ordinator-General. At Mr. Kemp's direction (as Commissioner of Main Roads), Mr. District Engineer K. Paterson was instructed to get in touch with Capt. Harter to ascertain exact requirements when the requisition is received.

        MR. BARKER:   For action.
        Mr. SMITH:        For Following action.

Mark Robertson told me that the RAAF Fuel Depot and Store at Glenroy Siding was dismantled completely in August 1952, including the large avgas fuel tank which was removed and taken to the Golden Fleece Depot at 81 King Street, Charleville which was later Western Rural Services Produce Agents. Some concrete structures still remain today at Glenroy Siding. Mark said that the adjacent airfield was still evident yet condemned due to close proximity to current runway.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Mark Robertson and Allan Tonks for their assistance with this web page.

REFERENCES

History of the Queensland Main Roads Commission 1939 - 1945

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 24 August 2019

This page last updated 13 January 2020