"Rosslea", Whyte Street, Hermit Park used by Townsville Grammar School during WW2

"ROSSLEA", WHYTE STREET, HERMIT PARK, TOWNSVILLE
USED BY TOWNSVILLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL DURING WWII

The RAAF took over the Townsville Grammar School at North Ward in January 1942 and 3 Fighter Sector Headquarters (3FSHQ) was established there on 25 February 1942 to RAAF Establishment HD-93. Wing Commander G. E. Samson O.B.E. (RAF) was posted to 3FSHQ on 2 March 1942 as the initial Commanding Officer. The camp for 3 Fighter Sector Headquarters was established on the corner of Paxton and Landsborough Streets in North Ward.

Townsville Grammar School relocated to a house called "Rosslea" owned by Mr. and Mrs Don McInnes during the three years that the RAAF occupied the Grammar School at North Ward. Classes began at "Rosslea" on 10 March 1942. There was a park across the road and there were a number of out-buildings and tennis courts at the rear of "Rosslea" that were used by the school. Students were marched through the streets to Carlton Park (now called Corcoran Park) to play football. Apparently "Rosslea" had initially used by the RAAF until a swap was arranged with the Townsville Grammar School site at North Ward. Another house was rented nearby to accommodate the boarders.

On the evening of 28/29 July 1942, the Japanese carried out their third bombing raid on Townsville. During that raid a single Japanese bomb landed at Veterinary Research Laboratory at Oonoomba just across the river from "Rosslea".

In a letter Mr Whight, the headmaster, described the three bombing raids on Townsville. Here is his description of the third raid on the night of 28/29 July 1942:-

“The next gave us a thrill. This is my entry in the School daily roll book. Tuesday, July 28. Single plane attacked at 12.40a.m. [sirens at 12.10a.m.]. The plane travelled north to south, dropping bombs in the harbour. Last bomb was probably aimed at Rooney’s Mill. Landed in the coconut grove at the Experimental Farm. Light shade in the Hall fell - first Townsville Grammar School war damage. Three to four search lights held plane throughout. Seemed above us when last bomb was released. It was fascinating to see bombs like slowly falling stars illuminated by the searchlights. The noise of the bomb rushing through the air was plainly heard. Boys again behaved perfectly.

The Experimental Farm is just across the river from here and the bomb fell about half-a-mile away. Apparently it was not very large, for if it had been, the noise would have been greater and the blast more noticeable. Fighters attacked soon after the bombs exploded - they had been in the air before the bomber arrived of course, and there were a few bursts of tracer bullets.

All the bombs were alleged by the ABC to have fallen into the sea. It did not please us to hear a lie broadcast. Townsville so far has been lucky. Just imagine, three raids, no damage, no casualties.”

Colin Kelly [1941-1944], Head Boy, Dux of the School and winner of the Chelmsford Cup in 1944 remembered the night of 28/29 July 1942 as follows:-

“On a cold night the alarm was raised for us to get into the slit trench which would have been, I believe, adjacent to the old garage, our ‘science room without a laboratory’. Occupants of the trench included boarders [there were not too many], Headmaster Mr Whight and probably others including Matron and Mr Bliss [teacher]. The searchlights picked up the plane in the west/south-west and held the bomb in the beam for a significant time [I don’t think I have dreamt this]. The trajectory of the bomb was [or certainly seemed to be] roughly over our site. Tommy Whight certainly did think so and told us to keep down in the trench. The bomb exploded across the river from us

The Science Room at North Ward was three times as large as the old buggy shed which became the Science Room at "Rosslea". Grade VIA had some excitement in the Science Room in 1943 when a large snake was discovered in the rafters of the building. It was dispatched by the “crack shots” of the Cadet Corps.

School Principal, Mr. T.B. Whight, reviewed school activities during the years at the School Speech night in December 1946. He referred to the occupation of the school by the RAAF during WWII and the transfer to "Rosslea", the home of Mr. and Mrs D. McInnes. “Little did we know that the occupation was to last for three years, and that, even today the RAAF would still hold the sports ground”.

"Rosslea" in 1941

Rosslea 1982 - the original block subdivided by 1982 and
an extra house now located between "Rosslea" and the river

"Rosslea" still existed in 2026 with the address of 5 Riverview Street, Hermit Park. The original
impressive stairway can still be seen as well as the ornate posts holding up the house.

Apparently Don McInnes made a car salesman drive a new car up the impressive set of steps before he would buy the car. He drove a hard bargain!!

Advertisement for the Annual Speech night on 30 November 1944

I’d like to thank Anthony “Tony” Griffiths, and Jeff West for their assistance with this web page. I'd also like to thank Anne Kemp and Don McInnes, grand children of Don Snr and his wife Mary F. McInnes, for their assistance with this web page.

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