NO 4
VOLUNTEER AIR OBSERVERS CORPS
TOWNSVILLE, QLD
DURING WWII
Townsville @ War - Air Defence Systems 1942
and the three Air Raids on Townsville
No 4 Volunteer Air Observers Corps Centre was initially established in a room inside the Townsville Police Barracks.
P/O Burnett attended the Townsville "C.W.A. Younger Set" meeting to enlist volunteers to man the Air Flash phones in No. 4 VAOC Centre. Reports flashed by VAOC Observers were plotted at 4 VAOC & passed on to 3 Fighter Sector Headquarters at the Townsville Grammar School at North Ward.
In February 1942, various RAAF officers travelled far and wide to set up numerous Observation Posts. The following is an example of some of the many travels by these RAAF officers:-
5 Feb 42, P/O Westmore & P/O Robinson travelled south by Railway Quadra cycle & located volunteers to establish Observation Posts (OPs) between Townsville & Mackay
7 Feb 42, F/Lt Wollett & P/O Raine travelled north by car to establish similar OPs between Townsville and Port Douglas
8 Feb 42, P/O Campbell travelled west from Townsville to Charters Towers establish OPs
24 Feb 42 F/O Falkiner travelled by train to establish OPs at Mount Isa
26 Feb 42, P/O Westmore travelled by car to establish OPs in a ring around Townsville
26 Feb 42, P/O Robinson & P/O Campbell established an OP at Cape Pallarenda.
No. 4 VAOC Centre moved to 18 Stuart St, North Ward on 15 April 1942
.
On 30 April 1943 VAOC Posts were as per the Tables below:-
OP = There were many Observation Posts (OP) that were manned on a 24 hour basis.
ARO = Air Reporting Officers were purely voluntary positions, who made reports when aircraft sightings were noticed.
RP = Reporting Post - these were manned on a basis of 16 hours a day.
NOTE:- In an emergency period endeavours were made to man ARO's and RP's on a 24 hrs a day basis.
PT : PUBLIC TELEPHONE
ZONE "CC" CLONCURRY
Line and RT to Townsville. RT only to Cairns
| REPT NO. | NAME OF POST | CHIEF OBSERVER | PHONE | TYPE |
| CH 1 | Tobermorey | Anderson W G | R/T | RP |
| DC 1 | Wensley | Barnes E J | 11N Nelia | ARO |
| DD 1 | Barabon | O'Neill P C | 4 | ARO |
| DD 2 | Moselle | |||
| DE 2 | Marathon | Kearney T W | PT | RP |
| DE 3 | Stamford | Hay J H | PT | ARO |
| DE 4 | Hughenden | McLean G O | 53 | RP |
| EA 2 | Prairie | McGregor W D | 49 | RP |
| KQ 3 | Borroloola | Heathcock Comet J | R/T (8XB) | |
| VR 1 | Cheviot Hills | Murphy A L | Connected to R/T (8GI)) | RP |
| VS 1 | Lyndhurst | Shaw L R | 2S Mt Surprise | RP |
| VS 2 | Wandovale | Young J W | 28H | RP |
| VS 4 | Gregory Springs | Murphy J V E | Via 8GI | ARO |
| VS 5 | Blackbraes | Nimmo? Mts? J L | R/T (8GI) | ARO |
| VS 6 | Reedy Springs | Anning R | 2H Pentland | ARO |
| VX 2 | Mt.Emu Plains | Wickbold F C | 2N Pentland | ARO |
| VX 3 | Wongalee | Thompson A M | 21? Hughenden | ARO |
| VX 4 | Torrens Creek | OIC Police | 11 | ARO |
| VX 5 | Clark Hills | Anning C C | R/T (8GO) | ARO |
| WP 1 | Brunette Downs | Salter E F | R/T (VJX) | RP |
| XH 1 | Corinda | Burns Mrs R A | R/T (8XN) | RP |
| XJ 1 | Almora Downs | Colless G | R/T (VHU5) | RP |
| XO 1 | Lawn Hill | Sammon J D | R/T (8 GY) | RP |
| XO 2 | Riversleigh | Irwin Mrs V A | R/T (8YT) | ARO |
| XS 1 | Camooweal | OIC AMF | OP | |
| XT 1 | Morstone Downs | Cameron V C | 9 C'weal | ARO |
| XX 1 | Avon Downs | Spratt J M | 1 C'weal | RP |
| XY 1 | Barclay Downs | Whiting E J | R/T (8UL) | RP |
| ZF 1 | Augustus Downs | Kyle-Little R | R/T (8XF) | RP |
| ZL 1 | Lorraine | Schultz Miss L | R/T (8XG) | RP |
| ZM 1 | Donors Hill | McDougall E | PT | RP |
| ZM 2 | Donors Hill Sta | Vidler H N | PT | RP |
| ZN 1 | Iffley | Campbell S | R/T (8XZ) | ARO |
| ZN 2 | Claraville | Willcox J T | R/T (8YM) | ARO |
| ZO 1 | Esmeralda | Vicary F R | R/T (8YO) | ARO |
| ZQ 1 | Coolullah | Pringle E B | 3 Kajabbi | ARO |
| ZQ 2 | Kamilaroi | Baker E | 2 Boomarra | RP |
| ZR 1 | Wurung | Taylor R S | 1S Donors Hill | ARO |
| ZR 3 | Boomarra | Hall Mrs L M | PT | RP |
| ZR 4 | Dobbyn | Clarke D G | PT | RP |
| ZR 6 | Canobie | Taylor R S | 1S Donors Hill | RP |
| ZS 2 | Millungera | Crossley E M | 12B Julia Creek | RP |
| ZS 3 | Arizona | Lenahan T E | R/T | ARO |
| ZV 2 | Mt. Isa | OP | ||
| ZV 3 | Calton Hills | Power A J | R/T (8GQ) | ARO |
| ZW 1 | Granada | Frazer A J | P/T | ARO |
| ZW 2 | Clonagh | White J F | 6S Cloncurry | RP |
| ZW 3 | Cloncurry | Kerr V L | 81 | OP |
| ZW 4 | Byrimine | Magoffin J | 44 | ARO |
| ZX 1 | Crofels? | Sharp M | PT | ARO |
| ZX 2 | Dalgonally | Affleck A J | 9D Julia Creek | RP |
| ZX 3 | Corindi | Kennedy E | PT | ARO |
| ZX 4 | Gilliat | Brooks J M | PT | RP |
| ZX 5 | Consentes | Doubleday E H | 21D | ARO |
| ZX 6 | Julia Creek | Taylor W | 24 | OP |
| ZX 7 | Lara | Glasson W H | 21A Julia Creek | RP |
| ZY 2 | Maxwelton | Gates J | PT | RP |
| ZY 4 | Nelia | Howatson J B | PT | RP |
| ZY 5 | Nonda | Casey V J | PT | RP |
| ZZ 1 | Richmond Anthonys Lagoon | Clark H J | 47 | RP |
PT = Public Telephone OP = Observation Post (24 hrs watch)
RP = Reporting Post ARO = Air Reporting Officer
ZONE "CA" TOWNSVILLE
| REPT NO. | NAME OF POST | CHIEF OBSERVER | PHONE | TYPE |
| AJ 5 | Dallachy | Webster Mrs E | PT | ARO |
| AJ 6 | Kennedy | Doyle H L | Carruchan 11 | RP |
| AJ 8 | Kirrana | Kelly D T | Carruchan 4 | RP |
| AK 4 | Cardwell | NCO i/c | Cardwell 4 | OP |
| AK 5 | Lower Tully | Butler Mrs J | PT | ARO |
| AO 2 | Stoneleigh | Alston F N | Upper Stone 7 | RP |
| AO 3 | Mt Fox | Simpson Mrs E A | PT | RP |
| AO 4 | Camel Creek | Atkinson Mrs P J | Mt Fox 2U | RP |
| AO 5 | Kangaroo Hills | Allingham Mrs V | Mt Fox 2D | RP |
| AO 7 | Ewah | Alexander Miss A | PT | ARO |
| AP 1 | Lucinda Point | Howell A A | 4 | OP |
| AP 2 | Ingham | Mulvey J J | 5 | OP |
| AP 3 | Bambaroo | Hanson Mrs L M | 3B | RP |
| AP 4 | Rollingstone | |||
| AP 5 | Palm Island | NCO i/c | Teleradion | OP |
| AP 6 | Trebonne | Britton Mrs D L | PT | ARO |
| AP 7 | Morleys | Morley H E | Halifax 39 | RP |
| AP 8 | Mutarnee | Brush Miss N | PT | ARO |
| AP 10 | Toobanna | Finlayson Mrs M | PT | ARO |
| AP 11 | Bemerside | McGrath D | Halifax 76 or PT | RP |
| AQ 1 | Cape Cleveland | Smith W E | 46OD Townsville | OP |
| AQ 2 | Giru | Mullins J L | 2 & 3 | RP |
| AQ 3 | Cox's | Cox W L | 82 Ayr | ARO |
| AQ 4 | Pioneer Mill | Ashwell G R | 31 Brandon | OP |
| AQ 5 | Ayr | Carloss E W | 353 Ayr | OP |
| AQ 6 | Rita Island | Sumner C L | PT | RP |
| AQ 11 | Broadcast Sta 4QN | Browne R J | 1451 Townsville | RP |
| AQ 12 | The Rock | Hollingsworth A D | 322H Ayr | ARO |
| AQ 13 | Alva | NCO i/c | 397 Ayr | OP |
| AT 2 | Niall | Garcer F | 28N Charters Towers | ARO |
| AT 3 | Maryvale | Clarke E | 28S | ARO |
| AT 4 | Hillgrove | Allingham J | PT | ARO |
| AT 5 | Bluff Downs | Hughes E L | 28U Charters Towers | RP |
| AT 7 | Fletchervale | Dunn M | 28D | RP |
| AT 6 | Nulla Nulla | Hastie C D | 28U C. Towers | ARO |
| AU 1 | Argea | Phillips G A | PT | RP |
| AU 3 | Star | Kilpatrick Mrs E | 18U Ch Towers | ARO |
| AU 4 | Toonpan | Mrs Moses | PT | RP |
| AU 5 | Dotswood | McConachy J | 18Y Ch Towers | RP |
| AU 6 | Woodtsock | Neville J | 4 | RP |
| AU 8 | Burdekin Downs | Salmon T | 18D Ch Towers | ARO |
| AU 9 | Reid River | Meikle R | PT Reid River | RPO |
| AU 10 | Mingela | Sugars H | PT Mingela | RP |
| AU 11 | Castle Hill | OP | ||
| AX 1 | Cargoon | Anning Miss E | 2S Pentland | ARO |
| AY 1 | Toomba | McKinnon H | 28U Ch Towers | ARO |
| AY 2 | Cornelya | Anning S E | ARO | |
| AY 3 | Ralees Creek | Hind W H | PT | RP |
| AY 4 | Homestead | Rollison Miss D | 21 Homestead | ARO |
| AY 5 | Pentland | Johnstone J W | PT Pentland | RP |
| AY 6 | Helenslee | Foster J D | Homestead 4 | ARO |
| AZ 2 | Charters Towers | Parsons G | 134 | ARO |
ZONE "CD" BOWEN
| REPT NO. | NAME OF POST | CHIEF OBSERVER | PHONE | TYPE |
| DB 1 | McDermotts | McDermott P J | R9D Calen | RP |
| DB 2 | Catru | Tappenden Mrs M A | PT | RP |
| DB 3 | Mt Ossa | Nitz C V | 7 | ARO |
| DB 4 | Springcliffe | NCO i/c | 2 | OP |
| DB 5 | Calen | Hann Mrs S | PT | ARP |
| DB 6 | NCO i/c | OP | ||
| DB 7 | NCO i/c | 13 | OP | |
| DB 8 | Mackay | Hopkins F G | 702 & 90 | OP |
| DB 9 | Kennedy J M | 8 | ARO | |
| DB 11 | Finch Hatton | Cooper Mrs H E? | PT | ARO |
| DB 12 | Dalrymple Hts | Sprogoe K | 11 | ARO |
| DB 16 | Mt Spencer | Mohr Mrs D | PT | ARO |
| DB 13 | Thatcher C J | 204 & 26 | RP | |
| DB 17 | The Range | Symonds Mrs P | 13 Eton | ARO |
| DB 19 | Camerons Pkt | Brothwell Mrs E B | 3B | ARO |
| DC 1 | Natal Downs | McVicar A A | R/T (8VQ) | ARO |
| DD 1 | Yacamunda | Warren N S | PT | ARO |
| DD 2 | Mt Coolon | Bridson C H | PT | ARO |
| DD 3 | Mt McConnell | Ball J F | 2 | ARO |
| DG 1 | Nebo | Hey F J | 13 | RP |
| DQ 7 | Home Hill | Hollywood J | 41 & 11 | OP |
| DQ 8 | Inkerman | MacDonald Miss A G | PT | RP |
| DQ 9 | Gumlu | Norman? J D | PT | OP |
| DQ 10 | Arkendieth | Warren Mrs A A | PT | ARO |
| DR 1 | Guthalungra | Hickmott W J | PT | RP |
| DV 1 | Ravenswood | Weinheimer F J H | PT | RP |
| DV 2 | Strathmore Sth | Cunningham E | 11D Collinsville | RP |
| DW 1 | Horseshoe Bay | NCO i/c | 123 Bowen | OP |
| DW 2 | Longford Creek | Jochheim Mrs H E R | PT | ARO |
| DW 3 | Binbee | Court R W | PT | RP |
| DW 4 | Collingville | Singleton T E | 23 | RP |
| DW 5 | Dittmer | Moran Miss K | PT | ARO |
| DW 6 | Bowen | Rees W F | 142 | RP |
| DW 7 | Merinda | Smith D O | PT | ARO |
| DW 8 | Wilmington | Beak A E | 2A Merinda | RP |
| DX 1 | Deauville | NCO i/c | 6 | OP |
| DX 2 | Proserpine | Dobbins A J | 4 & 5 | RP |
| DX 3 | Gunyarra | Jackson W W | 92 | RP |
| DX 4 | Noorlah | Johnstone A W | PT | ARO |
| DX 5 | Bloomsburry | Aspey W E | PT | ARO |
| DX 7 | Conway | Baxter G E | 18 | ARO |
| DZ 3 | Lornesleigh | Bell G | 2 Mt McConnell | ARO |
| DZ 4 | Kir? River | Downey Mrs | PT | ARO |
NOTE:- At that time (30 April 1943) these Posts came into Townsville Control direct, but within a couple of weeks they would report to Mackay Control.
ZONE "CE" NORMANTON
| REPT NO. | NAME OF POST | CHIEF OBSERVER | PHONE | TYPE |
| ZK 1 | Abington Downs | Edwards C P | R/T | ARO |
| FC 1 | Aurukun Mission | McKenzie Mr | R/T | RP |
| ZF 2 | Burketown | May J | R/T | OP |
| AO 1 | Banks Island | Torres Strait Signal Corps | R/T | OP |
| GG 1 | Cape Sidmouth | R/T | OP | |
| VN 5 | Carpentaria Downs | McNamara P B | 2 | RP |
| VT 1 | Clarke River | Barker A | PT | RP |
| PK 1 | Coen | RAAF (Coen) | OP | |
| VN 2 | Conjuboy | Wilson A D (Mrs) | 2D Old Wyandotte | RP |
| ZJ 2 | Croydon | Reese G H | 2 | OP |
| ZP 2 | Cumberland | Williamson Mr | RP | |
| VG 1 | Dagworth | Lyons F P | R/T | RP |
| UJ 3 | Darnley Island | Torres Strait Sig Corp | R/T | OP |
| ZC 1 | Delta Downs | Pointon S (Mrs) | R/T | RP |
| FY 1 | Dunbar | Sister Roberts | R/T (8GF) | RP |
| Doomadgee | Read H R | R/T (8GF) | RP | |
| Daru Island | ||||
| FN 1 | Edward River Mission | Chapman | R/T | ARO |
| VM 2 | Einasleigh | Ray H J | P? & 3 | RP |
| ZM 3 | Forest Home | Murray R H S | P | RP |
| VM 1 | Forsayth | Adams F S A | P? | RP |
| GM 2 | Flinders Island | VDC | R/T | |
| FX 1 | Galbraith | Henry L | R/T | RP |
| ZK 6 | Georgetown | Weirman C | P | OP |
| ZK 2 | Gilbert River | Dornbusch M? M | P? | RP |
| ZH 3 | Glenore | Royes E C (Mrs) | ??S | RP |
| VO 6 | Greenvale | Atkinson J H | ?T Wyandotte | RP |
| ZP 1 | Green Hills | Smith J (Miss) | C | RP |
| ZL 1 | Gregory Downs | Schaffert P R? | RP | |
| ZG 2 | Inverleigh | Chandler J K | P? | RP |
| FE 5 | Iron Range | RAAF | L? | OP |
| UM 1 | Jervis Island | Torres Strait Sig Corp | R/T | OP |
| ZB 1 | Karumba | Lieut Newman | OP | |
| Ft 1 | Koolatah | R/T | RP | |
| FE 6 | Lockhart River | R/T | ARO | |
| ZG 4 | Magoura | Bartham R | R/T | RP |
| AY 1 | Mapoon Mission | Cane F A | R/T | ARO |
| VG 2 | Meadowbank | Hassall A C | 152 Mt Garnett | RP |
| ZG 5 | Milgarra | Boileau (Miss) | RP | |
| ZD 1 | Miranda Downs | Campbell D | 3D | RP |
| FS 1 | Mitchell River Mission | MacLeod A J | R/T | ARO |
| VH 1 | Mt Surprise | Jamieson G | RP | |
| FV 1 | Mornington Island | |||
| AO 2 | Mulgrave island | Torres Strait Sig Corp | R/T | RP |
| GN 1 | Murdock Point | |||
| VO 1 | Murray Island | Torres Strait Sig Corp | R/T | OP |
| GM 1 | Musgrave | L/T | RP | |
| AY 2 | Moreton | OP | ||
| ZH 1 | Normanton | Geyer G | PT & 23 | OP |
| VN 4 | Old Wyandotte | Atkinson H? D | PT | RP |
| FE 1 | Portland Roads (1) | Army | L/T | OP |
| FE 2 | Portland Roads (2) | Army | L/T | OP |
| FE 3 | Portland Roads (3) | Army | L/T | OP |
| FE 4 | Portland Roads (4) | Army | L/T | OP |
| ZK 4 | Prestwood | Green J M (Miss) | RP | |
| GG 2 | Port Stewart | |||
| VN 1 | Rosella Plains | Collins T B | 2N Mt Surprise | RP |
| UG 1 | Sai Bai Island | Torres Strait Signal Corps | R/T | OP |
| VN 3 | Spring Creek | Collins S J | 2D Mt Surprise | RP |
| ZJ 1 | Strathmore Nth | Evans G | RP | |
| VH 3 | St Ronans | Davis G | 9U | ARO |
| AO 1 | Thursday Island | Weeks M L (Mr) | R/T | OP |
| AU 1 | Turtle Head Island | R/T | OP | |
| VN 6 | Valley of Lagoons | Woodhouse | 3D Old Wyandotte | RP |
| VO 1 | Wairuna | Atkinson K J | 2K Mt Fox | RP |
| ZF 3 | Wernadinga | Roberts K R (Mrs) | RP | |
| FD 1 | Weipa Mission | R/T | ARO | |
| Woolagorang | To be established | |||
| Yarrun | To be established | |||
| York Island | To be established |
| BC 2 | Chillagoe | McDonough W P | 9 | RP |
| BC 3 | Almaden | Mackey J W | PT | ARO |
| BC 5 | Mt Mulligan | Skelly L Y | 4 | RP |
| BC 6 | Wolfram | Tudehope Mrs M A | PT | ARO |
| BC 8 | Mungana | O'Brien W | PT | ARO |
| BH 2 | Mt Garnett | Barton T H | 11D | RP |
| BJ 11 | Gunnawarra | Atkinson Mrs C | 15S | RP |
| BJ 12 | Glenruth | Atkinson R L | 15G | ARO |
| BX 1 | Curraghmore | Roberts Mrs G A | 6H | ARO |
| BX 2 | Mt Carbine | Roberts Mrs K E | 6D | RP |
| BY 1 | Daintree | Young J R | 7 | RP |
| BY 3 | Mossman | Morgan A J | 8 | OP |
| BY 4 | Port Douglas | NCO i/c | 19 | OP |
| BY 6 | Mt Molloy | De Tournouer J E | 14 | RP |
| BY 8 | Snapper Island | NCO i/c | R/T | OP |
Can anyone help me with more information?
"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products
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This page first produced 8 July 2014
This page last updated 25 February 2020
