"TIGHNABRUAICH",
195 CLARENCE ROAD, INDOOROOPILLY
USED TO INTERROGATE JAPANESE PRISONERS DURING WW2
BY THE ALLIED TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SECTION

The interrogation of Japanese POW's took place in the old mansion called "Tighnabruaich" (named after a district in Scotland) at 195 Clarence Road, Indooroopilly. It is located just to the left of the Indooroopilly bridge as you approach from the Taringa/Toowong side overlooking the Brisbane River.

The main building was raised in 1892 for H.C. Stanley, then chief engineer of the Queensland Railways. It was requisitioned by the military in October 1942, and subsequently named Witton Barracks. A joint US-Australian intelligence unit called the Allied Translation and Interpretation Section (ATIS) handled captured Japanese, who were held in cells on the grounds. Nisei (i.e. ethnic Japanese Americans) who handled much of the interpretation were housed almost directly across the Brisbane river in Neilson House, which is now a home for geriatrics.

Photo: via Bob Brennan

"Tighnabruaich" and Witton Barracks

Ray Roberts from Mansfield was a member of the Australian 112th Transport Company. He would often pick up Japanese prisoners from a boat or a plane and take them to "Tighnabruaich". The Australian Military Police were also located at "Tighnabruaich".

Aerial view of Tighnabruaich

Tighnabruaich

Tighnabruaich

Entrance Gate

Crest on left side of gate is the emblem for the
old Northern Command of the Australian Army

The army privatised "Tighnabruaich" a couple of years ago and at present (October 2000) it was occupied by a medical doctor and his family. Japanese graffiti on walls in some upstairs rooms was painted over in preparation for the building's sale. The building is reputed to be haunted by the ghost of a Japanese POW who committed hari kari there during the war.

Witton Barracks still seemed to exist in November 2000. The entrance to Witton Barracks is located around the corner in Lambert Road right beside the railway line.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank Garth Forster, Anthony Paul and Bob Brennan for their assistance with the above information.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 28 November 2000

This page last updated 23 February 2020