ALL SOULS' CHURCH OF ENGLAND BOYS SCHOOL
CHARTERS TOWERS, QLD
USED BY THE MILITARY DURING WW2

At the end of 1941, the Bishop managed to convince the military authorities to release Robert  L. Mills to become the headmaster of the school, a role he continued through to 1947.

St. Gabriel's was commandeered by the Military for use as 116 AGH. All Soul's school camped at Dalrymple in tents on the banks of the Burdekin River for 1942. Dalrymple is 30 miles from Charters Towers. Mr. Evans looked after the establishment of the camp at Dalrymple while Mr Mills looked after the evacuation of the school. 

Photo:- "That's Why We're Here!"

Staff at All Souls' Camp School at Dalrymple

A telephone was established at the Camp and it was registered under the name of ""All Souls' Camp School". There were about 180 students and 40 others including teachers. The initial accommodation at the camp comprised:-

• 2 stores tents, 50ft x 20 ft supplied by the Defence Department (they could each accommodate 30 students)
• 1 marquee 30ft x 16 ft supplied by the Defence Department which was used as a maids' quarters
• 1 small school marquee used by Mrs Snowden, Mrs Anderson, a number of sewing machines and towels, linen, etc
• 1 marquee 24 ft x 24 ft, which the school purchased for 30 Pounds. It accommodated 20 students
• 1 marquee 24 ft x 24 ft which the school purchased for 30 Pounds. It was used as a hospital.
• 1 shed 20 ft x 16 ft used as a telegraph office, school office, H.M.'s office and surgery
• 1 shed approximately 10 ft x12 ft which was used as a temporary kitchen
• 1 iron shed 50 ft x 40 ft which was used as a dining hall for 220 people
• 1 iron shed 48 ft x 36 ft which was used as a class room and store room
• 1 tent fly on stand, which was purchased by the school for 10 Pounds and used as a class room
• a number of tents and flys which were purchased by the school for 150 pounds and used by staff and families

They obtained a good cooking range from Fletchervail for a new kitchen that they built.

Photo:- "That's Why We're Here!"

Dormitories at Dalrymple

Photo:- "That's Why We're Here!"

Classrooms at Dalrymple in 1942

Photo:- "That's Why We're Here!"

All Souls' Camp School at Dalrymple

Photo:- "That's Why We're Here!"

Haircuts at Dalrymple

Photo:- "That's Why We're Here!"

Work gang at Dalrymple

Photo:- "That's Why We're Here!"

Gymnastics at Dalrymple

The boys loved their early morning swim in the Burdekin River. It was much better fun than the cold showers at their usual school.

The school later moved to the Charters Towers racecourse.

Photo:- "That's Why We're Here!"

Three beds were crammed into each horse stall
when the school moved to the racecourse

Photo:- "That's Why We're Here!"

Table tennis at the Racecourse in 1943

The students finally returned to the school on 6 June 1944 ("D" Day).

After the war, the school acquired a number of ex-Army buildings. Some were used as dormitories and a dining hall for over 40 years. They have now been demolished. Others were used for a music hall and class rooms.

Photo:- "That's Why We're Here!"

Ex Army buildings used at the school after WW2

Photo:- "That's Why We're Here!"

Ex Army buildings used at the school after WW2

Photo:- "That's Why We're Here!"

These ex Army buildings have now been demolished

Photo:- "That's Why We're Here!"

The old music hall building being relocated in 1960
to become the laundry for the Page Housemaster

Photo:- Rob Megarrity via Trevor Hunt

Memorial for Dalrymple in the Bush - the All Souls
Story at Fletcher Creek, Charters Towers

Photo:- Rob Megarrity via Trevor Hunt

Dalrymple in the Bush - The All Souls Story

Photo:- Rob Megarrity via Trevor Hunt

Reverse side of the story board

Photo:- Rob Megarrity via Trevor Hunt

Plaque on the white concrete plinth

Photo:- Rob Megarrity via Trevor Hunt

List of Students' names on the white concrete plinth

Photo:- Rob Megarrity via Trevor Hunt

List of Teachers and Students' names

Photo:- Rob Megarrity via Trevor Hunt

List of Students' names

REFERENCE BOOKS

"That's Why We're Here!"
"A Pictorial history of All Souls' and St Gabriel's School, 1920-1987"
by James C. Francis

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Trevor Hunt, Rob Megarrity and John Daly for their assistance with this home page.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 26 December 2004

This page last updated 24 January 2020