11TH AUSTRALIAN BASE
WORKSHOP AEME
CAMP AT LILLIAN AVE, SALISBURY AND
WORKSHOP AT SITE OF FORMER ROCKLEA MUNITIONS FACTORY
IN BRISBANE DURING WWII
The 11th Australian Base Workshop A.E.M.E. moved to the site of five buildings of the former Rocklea Ammunition Factory on the southern side of Compo Road in about 6 November 1944 when General Motors made building No. 27 available to the Australian Army for use as a Tank Workshop Depot.
The 11 Aust Base Wkshp Camp area was established on Lillian Avenue on the site of the former Salisbury Civil Constructional Corps CCC Transit Camp. They extended the former smaller CCC Camp further southwards adding more buildings. The 11th Australian Base Workshop was bounded by Lillian Avenue to the north, Bidder Street to the west, and Regis Street to the east. It's southern boundary was about half way between Golda Street and Leah Avenue.
11th Australian Base Workshop Camp Area. |
11th Australian Base Workshop Camp Area. |
NAA Plan
The extent of the former CCC Transit Camp
The 11th Australian Base Workshop A.E.M.E. occupied the following buildings at the site of the former Rocklea Munitions Factory on Compo Road, which was later renamed as Evans Road:-
BUILDING NO. | FORMER USE BY ROCKLEA AMMUNITION FACTORY | USE BY 11TH AUSTRALIAN BASE WORKSHOP A.E.M.E. |
Building No. 25 | QF Mess | Stores, and Wash-up Room are only two uses shown on the plan for this building. |
Building No. 26 | Main Casualty Building | Men's waiting Room, Men's Casualty Room, Surgery Room, Examination Ward Medical Staff Room, Bath Room, Sisters Office, Rest Room, Women's Waiting Room. |
Building No. 27 | QF Case Factory & Machine Shop | 3 Australian Base Workshop A.E.M.E. The building was also shared by the following other units:- Brisbane Area Workshop A.E.M.E., and 3 Australian A.O.D. |
Building No. 29 | Factory Store | Welding Bays, Checking Area, Offices, Shelving and Mezzanine |
Building No. 54 | Laboratory | Commanding Officer, 2 I/C, A.O. Room, Orderly Room, Regimental Sergeant Major, Works Manager, Drawing Office, Duplicating Room, Control Officer, Inspection Staff, Accounting Section, Stores Accounting Office, Pay Office, Stationery Room, Boiler Room, Switch Room, Ladies Room, Men's Room |
Photo:- BCC Aerial Photo 1946
Site of former Rocklea Ammunition Factory on Compo Road
1946 Aerial photo of
the cluster of buildings used |
Part of National
Archives of Australia plan showing the cluster |
NAA Photo 20 April 1944
Building No. 27 General Motors Rocklea which still exists today
Building 27 was engulfed in a large fire a number of years ago. Does anyone know the date that the fire occurred? The building to the right of the right hand doorway in the above photo was demolished. That is Project Street in the above photo with Engineering Street at right angles to it beside the northern wall of building No. 27.
NAA Photo 5 May 1944
Building No. 27 General Motors Rocklea looking north east from the roof of sand blast room
NAA Photo 5 May 1944
Building No. 27 General Motors Rocklea - view of Bays 18 to 21 P & W side
NAA Photo 11 March1944
Building No. 27 General Motors Rocklea - looking south P & W side
NAA Photo 11 March1944
Building No. 27 General Motors Rocklea - Bays G.4, 5, 6, 7
NAA Photo 20 April1944
Building No. 54 General Motors Rocklea - view from South West of Office
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I'd like to thank Russell Miller and Graham McKenzie Smith for their assistance with this web page.
Can anyone help me with more information?
"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products
© Peter Dunn 2015 |
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This page first produced 25 January 2015
This page last updated 23 January 2020