13 Aircraft Repair Depot 13 A.R.D. RAAF

13 Aircraft Repair Depot was formed at Tocumwal, NSW on 12 Dec 1942. Flight Lieutenant A.S. Johnson from No. 1 Engineering School was appointed as the temporary Commanding Officer. Its initial strength comprised 1 Officer and 8 Airmen.

During December 1942, activities were centred around the formation, equipping and despatch of the Advance Party which was to move to Breddan near Charters Towers, Queensland by train. The Advance Party consisting of Flying Officer Oats, who would be in charge of the troops in the Advance Party, and fifty Airmen who had been sent on pre-embarkation leave with instructions to report back to the unit no later than 12 February 1943. The advance party was scheduled to move from Tocumwal for Breddan on 15 February 1943. The supply of main equipment was arriving at a steady flow, however some difficulties were being experienced in the supply of certain equipment. However it was anticipated that most of them would be overcome before the movement of the main body to Breddan.

Squadron Leader R. R. Campbell (952) was posted from 4 Maintenance Group on 5 January 1943 to command 13 ARD. On 8 January 1943, he departed Melbourne by air for North West and North East Area to arrange for the subsequent movement of 13 ARD to Breddan. He returned to Melbourne by air on 16 January 1943 to continue formation duties at 4 Maintenance Group. He proceeded by rail to Tocumwal on 20 January 1943 for his initial visit to his new command. He then returned to Melbourne on formation duties.

During January 1943, the strength of 13 ARD increased by 203 personnel to 13 Officers, 3 Warrant Officers and 279 Airmen.

During February 1943, the month's activities again were centred on the formation of the Unit. The main aspects being the assembling and packing of equipment, ready for dispatch to Breddan in north Queensland and preparing personnel for the move of the Advance Party. 15 February 1943, was chosen as the date for the move of the Advanced Party to Breddan. All arrangements were completed. and a party of four, with Corporal Imison in charge, was dispatched as escort to the barracks equipment and tentage, on a troop train departing tTocumwal at 17:20 hours, on the 12 February 1943. The main Advanced Party with Flying Officer Cats in charge, departed Tocumwal at 15:15 hours on the 15 February 1943, and arrived at Charters Towers on the 21 February 1943. The equipment and party under Corporal Imison also arrived at Charters Towers on 21 February 1943.

F/O Cats visited North Eastern Area, and 22 Base Wing Headquarters, as instructed. A letter of appreciation was dispatched to the Refreshment Room Manager at Narrandera.

To expedite the erection of hangers, buildings, etc. at Breddan site, a request was made to AFHQ, that permission be granted for 13 A.R.D .personnel to assist with above mentioned work. A decision on this request was anticipated early in March 1943. With this in view, the preparation of a second Advanced Party of approximately 50 airmen of all musterings was commenced, and it was designated as the Construction Party. It was anticipated that this party would be dispatched early in March 1943.

During February 1943, the strength of 13 A.R.D. increased by 174 Airmen.

During March 1943, activity was again centred on unit formation duties. Parties were assembled and dispatched to Breddan, consisting of all musterings, to assist with the construction of the campsite. On the 17 March 1943, the first party, known as the Electrical Party, was dispatched, consisting of 10 airmen, with Flight Sergeant L. Pretty (3262) in charge. They had instructions to assist with the installation of electric light and power, to and on the station. The 22 March 1943, saw the departure of Flight Lieutenant Cottee, and a party of 50 airmen, with instructions to erect hangars, buildings, etc, under the supervision of the Department of the Interior.

A considerable amount of stores and equipment was also dispatched to Breddan, with necessary stores personnel, to control distribution. Pilot Officer Turnbull being the Equipment Officer chosen. Approximately 100 tons of equipment was dispatched, departing Tocumwal on 23 March 1943, escorted by a party of 10 airmen, with Sergeant Edward John Craze (10103) in charge.

The arrival at Breddan of Flight Lieutenant Cottee and Party signalled the first official operation of 13 A.R.D. at the Breddan site. This party was dispatched to operate as a Detachment. Pilot Officer Fraser was posted to 13 A.R.D. as supernumerary Adjutant and was dispatched to Breddan to carry out Adjutant duties with the Detachment. Official request was forwarded for all personnel of 13 A.R.D., then at Breddan, and attached to 12 R.S.U. to cease attachment to that unit and come under the jurisdiction of 13 A.R.D. detachment.

Arrangements were well underway for the dispatch of a further party of 70 Airmen with Pilot Officer McKenzie in charge, consisting of administrative personnel and personnel to assist with the construction of the campsite.

On 24, March, 1943, a party of Fitters D.M.T., proceeded on attachment to N/E Pool for further duties within the area, pending the official arrival of 13 A.R.D. at Breddan.

On 30 March 1943, Pilot Officer Carter proceeded to Breddan to supervise the erection of electrical power lines to and within the station. Also on that date, Squadron Leader Campbell, the Commanding Officer, and Squadron Leader, Bergman, the S.E.O., proceeded by plane to Breddan site, to ascertain the progress made.

On 26 March 1943, AC1, Horace Ewen Kingsbury Jeffery (63038), Fitter IIE, was drowned in the Murray River behind the township of Tocumwal, New South Wales. The Unit carried out all funeral arrangements. An Air Force funeral was arranged with all personnel attending. The remains were interned in the Tocumwal War Service Cemetery, Grave Number B/A13.

During March 1943 the strength of the Unit was increased by a further 247 Airmen.

During April 1943, parties were tropically kitted and despatched to Breddan, consisting of various musterings, to assist with the construction of the campsites, as arranged and under the supervision of the Department of the Interior. On 5 April 1943, a party of 70 Airmen, with Pilot Officer G.H. McKenzie in charge, proceeded by rail to Breddan. On 11 April 1943, three transport vehicles were despatched by goods train to Breddan under the escort of three D.M.T.s. On 17 April 1943, six trucks of stores and equipment were dispatched to Breddan under the escort of nine Airmen with a Sergeant in charge. On 29 April 1943, an escort of four, with a Sergeant in charge, was despatched to Charter Towers with instructions to collect two portable air compressors at Sydney en route.

Arrangements were well in hand for the dispatch of a further party of 60 Airmen with Pilot Officer F.J. Wilkinson in charge. It was anticipated that these personnel would depart from Tocumwal on Tuesday 4 May 1943, and consist mainly of Technical and Domestic musterings.

The Chief of Air Staff paid a visit to the Unit on 20 April 1943 accompanied by the A.O.C. North Eastern Area. They were conducted around the Station by the the Commanding Officer.

The moving of further large parties to Breddan was held up due to water supply problems. The Pipeline to No. 2 campsite was still being laid by the Department of the Interior with the assistance of No. 13 A.R.D. personnel. On the 4 May 1943, a party of 61 Airmen, of varied musterings, with Pilot Officer F.J. Wilkinson, as escort officer, proceeded by rail to Breddan. The party joined the detachment at Breddan, and assisted in the construction of the campsite. On 8 May 1943, a party of eight Airmen, with a Sergeant in charge, proceeded to Breddan as escort to five trucks of equipment and stores. On 31 May 1943, two Airmen proceeded to Breddan as escort to a semi-trailer of equipment and stores.

During June 1943, the movement of large parties of men into the campsite at Breddan could not be undertaken, as the water had not yet been connected. The work on the pipeline to No. 2 campsite, which was being laid by the Department of the Interior, with the assistance of 13 A.R.D. personnel, had been slowed down, due to a lack of rubber ceiling rings for the pipes. It was anticipated that considerable progress would be made as soon as this difficulty was overcome. During June 1943, five escort parties left for Breddan as escort for two trucks of equipment and stores, and departed from Tocumwal, for the Breddan. on the following dates:-

On the authority of 4M.G., a salvage party departed from Tocumwal for No. 1 O.T.U. at Sale on 1 June 943, to salvage Beaufort A9-282, and A9-245. Flying Officer William Allan Sleebs (O3145), of 13 A.R.D., was in charge of the party, and they returned to the Unit on the 16 June 1943, after delivering both aircraft to 7 Aircraft Depot in a satisfactory condition.

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