AMERICAN RED CROSS SERVICE CLUB
TERRICA HOUSE, CNR CREEK STREET AND ADELAIDE STREET
BRISBANE, QLD, DURING WW2

"We Did" 77th Seabees

The Brisbane American Red Cross Service Club

The American Red Cross Service Club in Brisbane was located on the corner of Creek Street and Adelaide Street. It had been the former Moreton Club premises. It was opened by the Governor of Queensland Sir Leslie Wilson on 4 July 1942.

The infamous "Battle of Brisbane" was waged on 26 November 1942 on the corner outside of this Club. The American PX Building (Postal Exchange) was located diagonally opposite the American Red Cross Service Club.

State Library of Queensland Image No. 168074

Doreen Smythe and Mabel Lahey at the American Red Cross Service Club, Brisbane, 1942. Doreen and Mabel
were volunteer workers wearing American Red Cross volunteer uniforms, which were blue dresses with red crosses.

The American Red Cross Service Club in Brisbane closed its doors on 16 November 1945. A large farewell party for employees of the American Red Cross Service Club was held on the evening of 16 November 1945 at the club. Approximately 200 people attended and guests were all personally welcomed by Miss Sally Howe, who was by then the Director of the American Red Cross in Brisbane. Mr. H. L. Trites, the Australian Director of the American Red Cross, travelled from Sydney for the farewell party. All the guests received a special card autographed by the staff. The Brisbane Club was the last ARC Club to remain open in Australia. Guests included members of the Cremorne Theatre Company, Miss Pat Cullen and Mr. Joe Allen, who had helped with entertainment at the club over the years. It was reported in the Army News Darwin that more than 7 million American Servicemen had used the Club!! (Seems rather high).

American Red Cross in Australia during WWII

REFERENCES

"We Did" 77th Seabees

"US Red Cross Farewell Party" - Brisbane Courier Mail 17 Nov 1945

"7,000,000 Used Big US Club in Brisbane" - Army News Darwin

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 34 February 2007

This page last updated 04 July 2020