Flying Officer Charles Benjamin Dolphin (271583) arrived in Charleville on the Mail Train on Wednesday 2 October 1940 to make the necessary arrangements prior to the arrival of the RAAF Recruiting Train. F/O Dolphin stayed at the Charleville Hotel and made himself available to answer any queries and render assistance to intending recruits.

The RAAF Recruiting Train arrived in Charleville on Saturday morning 5 October 1940 and was open for business from Monday to Saturday. It was open for public inspection at 3:30pm on Sunday afternoon 6 October 1940. The train departed for Cunnamulla on Saturday 12 October.

Flight Lieutenant Donald Archibald Wright (033016) and Doctor Flight Lieutenant Dean-Butcher and staff manned the recruiting train with Captain R.F. Gallaway as Man Power Officer. They were looking for applicants aged between 18 and 32 years to fill the following requirements

• five fitter-armourers
• five wireless telegraphic operators
• unlimited number of air crew (pilots, air observers, wireless operators, air gunners)

Summaries results of the recruiting drive as at 2:30pm on Friday 11 October 1940:-

The first Air Force recruit enlisted by the local Recruiting Drive Committee of the RAAF was Mr. Kevin Finnigan who left for Brisbane on the train on Tuesday 25 February 1941. It was expected that he would be accepted as a trainee mechanic after passing his medical examination. By Friday 28 February 1941, five other applications had been received by the local committee. Intending applicants were advised to contact Mr. R. J. Coulson, the Power Station Manager at Alfred Street, who was the Honorary Secretary of the Charleville committee.

The RAAF Recruiting Train revisited Charleville on Saturday 14 June 1941 and commenced recruiting at 9 am. The train remained in Charleville until Tuesday evening. The local recruiting committee in Charleville comprised:-

• Mr. HR. Drane - President
• Mr. R. Harris - Treasurer
• Mr. R.J. Coulson - Honorary Secretary