Northam Army Camp Heritage Association Inc.

View of the corrugated-iron buildings at Northam Army Camp. Building H8 at Northam Army Camp. View of a group of corrugated-iron buildings at Northam Army Camp. The sentry box at the entrance to Northam Army Camp.

Storylines / Military

WWII Training Camp

Northam Army Camp served two specific purposes during World War II:

  • Training camp for the newly formed Second Australian Imperial Force – the 2nd AIF
  • Camp for intensive short term training of the Citizens Military Forces (CMF), including the Volunteer Defence Corps and the military cadets.

After the 2nd AIF left in January 1940, reinforcements trained at Northam Army Camp before being deployed overseas. Some men came from other states to train at Northam.

The Commonwealth Government introduced conscription in October 1939 to ensure that the CMF kept up its strength as members left to enlist in the 2nd AIF. All unmarried men turning 21 had to complete three month’s military training with the CMF.

The training of the conscripts and volunteer forces ensured that the men would be in a fit condition for deployment in the field or as mobile reserves.

The Volunteer Defence Corps was also considered a great morale boosting exercise, allowing those that could not enlist for overseas service the opportunity to contribute to the war effort.

Photo Gallery

Governor Lord Gowrie watching members of the 2/16th Battalion train at Northam Army Camp, 1940. Courtesy Western Mail, Christmas Edition, 1940. Governor Lord Gowrie watching members of the 2/16th Battalion train at Northam Army Camp, 1940. Courtesy Western Mail, Christmas Edition, 1940. Training reinforcements for 2nd AIF, c 1942. Courtesy Elsie Solly Training reinforcements for 2nd AIF, c 1942. Courtesy Elsie Solly Officers, Northam Army Camp, 1942. Courtesy Elsie Solly Officers, Northam Army Camp, 1942. Courtesy Elsie Solly Soldiers in full kit, c. 1943. Courtesy Doug Gildersleeve Soldiers in full kit, c. 1943. Courtesy Doug Gildersleeve WX38049 Douglas Gildersleeve at Northam Training Camp, 1943. Courtesy Doug Gildersleeve WX38049 Douglas Gildersleeve at Northam Training Camp, 1943. Courtesy Doug Gildersleeve 2/11th Battalion at Northam Camp, early 1940. Soldiers had to run down rabbits as part of their exercises. Courtesy Dot Campbell 2/11th Battalion at Northam Camp, early 1940. Soldiers had to run down rabbits as part of their exercises. Somewhere in this photo is WX1076 Corporal Finlay Campbell, who enlisted from his hometown of Bridgetown on 4 December 1939. Corporal Finlay spent most of the war as a POW in Germany. He was discharged from the AIF on 10 October 1945. Courtesy Dot Campbell

Stories from the Camp

Interviews

Ray Middleton

Ray Middleton remembers how little his 4 months at Northam Army Camp prepared him for the realities of WWII.

Ray Middleton interviewed by Judy Durey for Murdoch University & NACHA with sound produced by Rob Muir, 2008.

Wayne Gardiner

Wayne Gardiner tells of how Northam Army Camp was a major stopping point for Australian troops and lists the units who used the camp during WWII.

Wayne Gardiner interviewed by Judy Durey for Murdoch University & NACHA with sound produced by Rob Muir, 2008.

Alan King

Alan King talks about the 2nd/7 Australian Field Ambulance which was stationed at Northam Army Camp in 1940.

Alan King interviewed by Judy Durey for Murdoch University & NACHA with sound produced by Rob Muir, 2008.

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