Jezzine Barracks Military Museum in Townsville, Queensland | History Museum

Jezzine Barracks Military Museum

Locality: Townsville, Queensland

Phone: +61 7 4721 1495

Address: Mitchell Street 4810 Townsville, QLD, Australia

Website: https://amnq.org.au

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25.01.2022 'Adachi Comes In': Although Japan officially surrendered in August 1945, it was not until September 10th that representatives from the 18th Army in New Guinea asked to "Come in". On the afternoon 11th of September Lieut. Gen. Adachi & his party reported to the Australians at Wewak carrying both Japanese and white surrender flags. This sketch was made by Sgt. James Wieneke a draughtsman who would later go on to head the Queensland Art Gallery, for his privately published book '6th Div. sketches: Aitape to Wewak' (Wieneke, 1946)

25.01.2022 Have you ever wondered about names on signs? This overpass near the Townsville's Cluden Racecourse was named after World War 1 veteran Percival Pacific 'Pat' Andrews (4670) 2 Div. Train A.A.S.C. Born in Murtanee in 1892, the 22 year old Locomotive Fireman enlisted 25/1/1915 as a 'Driver,' and returned to Australia as a Company Sergeant Major. In 1918 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for action seen at Lake Wood in the Ypres Sector in 1917.... He died in Townsville in 1962. Further information: aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=5941 Article by historian Trisha Fielding. jculibrarynews.blogspot.com//from-swords-to-ploughshares-t His service record is available from the National Archives Australia

25.01.2022 The museum recently received treasured memorabilia from the family of Townsville WW2 POW Ernest (Jeff) Caddies (QX 1842; 2/10 Field Regt.). The collection includes his famous ukulele made from coconut and scraps found in the POW camps. Gunner Caddies was born in Charters Towers & enlisted in Townsville in 1940, aged 20. He was captured in Singapore and was imprisoned in Changi. He would later work on the Burma-Thai Railway & be shipped to Japan to work in the mines and factories. He would be working in a factory across the bay from Hiroshima in August 1945. The instrument & the collection are currently being stabilised and documented by museum staff for future display. Thank you to Mr Caddies family for trusting the museum with this wonderful collection.

24.01.2022 *** HAPPY LIBRARY & INFORMATION WEEK ** To our amazing Librarians Anne & Dale and to our fantastic Research Crew Doc, John, Bri & David. Did you know we had a Library? We have some amazing stuff & will be open again to the public (by prior arrangement) once everything gets back to normal.

24.01.2022 Mission Briefing! Museum Manager Maj John Lavery delivering pre-opening COVID-19 training to staff & workers this morning. The museum will be open to the public from 26 August (9 am) **Be aware that social distancing & hygiene regulations will be enforced to protect our Veterans and volunteers.

24.01.2022 2020 Australia Day saw the State Flag Raising Ceremony held at the Jezzine Parade Grounds next to the Museum. Following the ceremony the official party toured the galleries. Standing at the Honour Boards in Gallery 2 are: Brigadier Kahlil Fegan, DSC Host Officer / Commander 3rd Brigade; The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, Premier of Queensland and Minister for Trade; His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland; Councillor Jenny Hill, Mayor of the City of Townsville; Colonel Matthew Richardson, A/Commander 3rd Brigade; Wing Commander Mathew Green, 27 Squadron

23.01.2022 We're nearly ready......while the Museum has been closed the Curator & his crew have been working on new displays. This is part of the 9th Field Ambulance display in Gallery 2.

23.01.2022 Sneak peek inside the 161 Independent Recce Flight Workshop, Vietnam 1970. Nightime work is being performed on a Bell 47 Sioux Helicopter. The photo is held in the private collection of the gent with the pliers

23.01.2022 When is the Melbourne Cup not a 'Cup'? In 1942 the legendary horse race became the 'Austerity Melbourne Cup' & the owner of the winner 'Colonus' received 200 worth of Austerity Bonds in lieu of the traditional gold mug. The reaction of the owner is not recorded. **This AWM photo is of the bonds being handed to the Victorian Racing Club representative who also appears less than impressed.

23.01.2022 Last night was the Museum's annual Christmas Party & Awards Night. Standing with Peter Yoxall, President of the Kissing Point Military Foundation, are Lifetime Award recipients: Russell, Dave & Alex with Lindsey, Carol & Neil who received citations from the Army History Unit for their service to the Museum.

23.01.2022 The army has instructions for everything! These stickers were attached to the boxes of leaflets dropped over the Oceania region. The museum archive has a scrapbook collection of pamphlets that were dropped over WW2 Indonesia & the Philippines.

22.01.2022 Our museum in the media recently

22.01.2022 Finishing touches....

20.01.2022 Were nearly ready......while the Museum has been closed the Curator & his crew have been working on new displays. This is part of the 9th Field Ambulance display in Gallery 2.

20.01.2022 Today we commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day, marking the end of the Second World War in Europe. Although the unconditional surrender of Germany in May 1945 was not the end of the war in total, the impact of the moment must always be remembered. Lest we forget.

19.01.2022 Whats in a name? The outbreak of WW1 saw almost all Australian locations with Germanic names changed. The Townsville suburb German Gardens changed in January 1915 to become Belgian Gardens. The Cairns Post newspaper of the time declared this to be Change For The Better

19.01.2022 Treasure from the conservator's room: This impressive plaque is a donation by a Veteran. It was originally purchased from a Vietnamese local in Vung Tau in 1967 and the donor believes that it is made from artillery brass.

18.01.2022 All points to War! This Military Prismatic Compass was issued to WO1 Ernest John Neal (QX831) of the 2/15th BN, 20th Bde, 9th Div 2nd AIF. It was carried on patrols in Tobruk, El Alamein, then in the amphibious landings in Lae & Finchhaven (New Guinea) & Borneo at Brunei. It finished it's working life checking fencing alignment on cattle properties in the Julia Creek/Cloncurry area.

18.01.2022 The last minute check! Our Curator & the Collections crew ensure that the medals to be displayed in Gallery 2 do actually fit into the new cabinets. More space has meant that more sets are able to be on display.

18.01.2022 Our museum is cool! (its 37.5 degrees C outside but our galleries never exceed the lower 20s thanks to this wonderful piece of technology)

17.01.2022 A silent observer. St Brigids Catholic Church has stood unchanged on this site beside the Finders Highway at Stuart (West of Townsville) since 1904. Though not an official War site, during WW2 the church found itself sandwiched together with a US army camp, a base & a stores depot on the main road west. The church venue conducted regular services & weddings between US servicemen & their Australian brides.

17.01.2022 A book for the QM's collection. This volume was written by Dr E.D. Merrill of Harvard University in 1943 to assist in the identification and preparation of wild foods of the Pacific. The list of plants suitable for consumption in an emergency situation included: Banana, Coconut, Rambutan, Yam, Taro, Mango, Sour Sop, 'Jak' Fruit, Custard Apple, Peanut & Cashew.

17.01.2022 As a garrison city, Townsville is filled with military memorials- mostly from World War II, when the city served as an outpost for the United States Army. This bridge in Annandale isn't named for an American, rather for Air Commodore William H Garing. Born in Victoria, he studied at the Royal Military College Duntroon as an R.A.A.F cadet in 1929. His accolades led to him serving with No 10 Australian Sunderland Squadron R.A.A.F. with the rank of Flight Commander in Coastal Command R.A.F in 1939. In 1940, he was awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for Valour. While serving in Britain, he piloted HRH the Duke of Kent and Lord Lloyd George (Leader of the British House of Lords, 1940-1941).

17.01.2022 Our museum is cool! (it's 37.5 degrees C outside but our galleries never exceed the lower 20's thanks to this wonderful piece of technology)

16.01.2022 Happy 22nd anniversary to the Australian Army History Unit! Our volunteers would love to be celebrating together today, but due to the temporary closure of the museum, we manufactured a party of our very own.

15.01.2022 Library Supervision! This beautiful male Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis) inspects the work of our museum librarians. He & his mate are long-time residents of the museum grounds and can often be seen and heard in the museum quadrangle.

15.01.2022 Enter almost any older Church in North Queensland and there will be collection of cylindrical vases and containers either on display or stashed in the back of cupboards. The Trench Art not only indicates the history of the area surrounding church buildings, but also hints at the stories of the veterans and families who used them. This US shell casing (note the hand-decoration around the base) came from the Catholic Church in Home Hill. It was probably sourced from the remnants of the WW2 military activities in the area.

14.01.2022 Feeling the heat? This 1943 photograph from the Australian War Memorial shows the "C" Coy. 2/13th Australian Infantry Battalion training with rubber reconnaissance boats on Lake Euramoo on the Atherton Tableland. It all looks enviable until you realise that the snap was taken in June!

13.01.2022 During WW2 the Australian Army & later the RAAF 84 Sqn until took over the Ross Plains Aerodrome until 1946. These days the riverside site is playing fields, a skate park & the Townsville Basketball Stadium.

12.01.2022 Men at Work! The Museum Curator & Manager along with a team from Collections and Conservation have spent the last few days setting up a pop-up display at the Willows Shopping Centre (Thuringowa). The display will be open from 2/11/2020 until the 15/11/2020 & utilises a space near the Post Office.

11.01.2022 From the driveways across North Queensland & Australia on this most surreal Commemoration of ANZAC Day 2020.

11.01.2022 Another new display eased into position. The uniforms are from the Joyce Abercrombie Collection. Joyce was born in Townsville in 1918 and joined the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS.) in 1942 as the first enlisted woman from North Queensland. She was discharged in 1945 with the rank of Sergeant. Her older sister Marjorie followed her into the AWAS, her younger sister Mavis was a member of the VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment). The display is in Gallery 2.

10.01.2022 Neither a Cowboy nor a Bronco. This jersey in the Colours of the 31st (chocolate & gold) belonged to Sgt. Laurence 'Bulla' Tait who played in matches at the Miowera Army Camp near Bowen on 1940. Sgt. Tait would later join the 2/2 Australian Commando Squadron. The jersey is on display in the Kennedy Room in Gallery 2.

10.01.2022 Another great Arch Fraley photo of US Air force tents and barracks in WW2 Townsville. This is now in the suburb of Mount Louisa. Mr Fraley was a photographer with the USAAF 5th Bomber Group. He returned to North Queensland in 1949 and lived in the area until his death in 2012.

09.01.2022 Have you ever wondered about names on signs? This overpass near the Townsvilles Cluden Racecourse was named after World War 1 veteran Percival Pacific Pat Andrews (4670) 2 Div. Train A.A.S.C. Born in Murtanee in 1892, the 22 year old Locomotive Fireman enlisted 25/1/1915 as a Driver, and returned to Australia as a Company Sergeant Major. In 1918 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for action seen at Lake Wood in the Ypres Sector in 1917.... He died in Townsville in 1962. Further information: aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=5941 Article by historian Trisha Fielding. jculibrarynews.blogspot.com//from-swords-to-ploughshares-t His service record is available from the National Archives Australia

09.01.2022 Adachi Comes In: Although Japan officially surrendered in August 1945, it was not until September 10th that representatives from the 18th Army in New Guinea asked to "Come in". On the afternoon 11th of September Lieut. Gen. Adachi & his party reported to the Australians at Wewak carrying both Japanese and white surrender flags. This sketch was made by Sgt. James Wieneke a draughtsman who would later go on to head the Queensland Art Gallery, for his privately published book 6th Div. sketches: Aitape to Wewak (Wieneke, 1946)

09.01.2022 Lest we forget.

08.01.2022 Isnt it fun when new stuff gets delivered! Come in when we reopen & see whats under the wraps (& well have moved the display cabinet too)

07.01.2022 Treasure from the conservators room: This impressive plaque is a donation by a Veteran. It was originally purchased from a Vietnamese local in Vung Tau in 1967 and the donor believes that it is made from artillery brass.

07.01.2022 Another entry to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day....this photograph was taken on this day 75 years ago at the [Protestant] Service of Thanksgiving held at the 7 Australian Division Stadium at Kairi on the Atherton Tableland. It was attended by approx. 7 000 members of the Division, some of whom can be just made out at the rear of the photograph. The photographer is unknown

06.01.2022 The museum loves a good book launch....Friday afternoon saw authors Geoff Hanson & Diane Menghetti launched their book to a socially distanced audience at the foot of the WW2 Memorial Board in Gallery 2.

05.01.2022 Isn't it fun when new stuff gets delivered! Come in when we reopen & see what's under the wraps (& we'll have moved the display cabinet too)

05.01.2022 While WW2 saw the Dunk Island taken over by the RAAF for the 27 RADAR Station, Mission Beach itself was a site for research by the 1st Australian Field Experimental Station which was investigating the effects of chemical weapons in tropical conditions. Based in Proserpine, the unit was also active in areas including North Brook Island (off Cardwell) & the Atherton Tableland. Casualties of the trials were treated in a top secret ward in the Innisfail Hospital.

05.01.2022 A book for the QMs collection. This volume was written by Dr E.D. Merrill of Harvard University in 1943 to assist in the identification and preparation of wild foods of the Pacific. The list of plants suitable for consumption in an emergency situation included: Banana, Coconut, Rambutan, Yam, Taro, Mango, Sour Sop, Jak Fruit, Custard Apple, Peanut & Cashew.

04.01.2022 A silent observer. St Brigid's Catholic Church has stood unchanged on this site beside the Finders Highway at Stuart (West of Townsville) since 1904. Though not an official War site, during WW2 the church found itself sandwiched together with a US army camp, a base & a stores depot on the main road west. The church venue conducted regular services & weddings between US servicemen & their Australian brides.

04.01.2022 Reflections of the war in Townsville. This is an Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Mirror operated by the 65th anti-Aircraft Searchlight Company (65AASL Bty) Royal Australian Artillery (RAA) during WW2. The parabolic glass reflector directed a light output equivalent to 990 million candles with a detection range of about 8km for targets at altitudes between 4000-5000 metres. These days it sits at the entrance of the museum & has proved very popular background for photographs.

04.01.2022 Open up & say Ahh... At the beginning of WW1 the Australian Army issued 1 pair of pliers to every medical officer for dental duties. Any real work was carried out unofficially by trained individuals who had enlisted in other areas (& had taken gear with them), or by the Dental Corps of other nations armies, notably, New Zealand. This chair and drill wheel were used by Private Valentine John Anderson Brown (NZ, 18151) of the 1st New Zealand Dental Corp. on the Western Front during 1916-1918. It is part of the display in Gallery 2. By the end of the War Australia had 118 dental units. **The similarities between the dental drill and a shearing unit are probably not accidental!

04.01.2022 Hooray! (Thank You to Mavis our Bush Stone-Curlew (Burhinus grallarius) & resident supermodel)

03.01.2022 Those travelling through the township of Tolga on the Atherton Tableland will probably see remnants of the military hospital at Rocky Creek. The enormous complex treated 30 000 patients 1942-1945 & was the largest in the north. This (silent) footage of a hockey match in August 1944 gives a glimpse of what it was like back then. There is no known record of the final score.

02.01.2022 We don't have a date for reopening to the public as yet, but once we do, there'll be so much more to come and see! This new mural is being painted on the outside of Gallery 1 facing into the Quadrangle.

02.01.2022 What's in a name? The outbreak of WW1 saw almost all Australian locations with Germanic names changed. The Townsville suburb 'German Gardens' changed in January 1915 to become 'Belgian Gardens'. The Cairns Post newspaper of the time declared this to be 'Change For The Better'

01.01.2022 We dont have a date for reopening to the public as yet, but once we do, therell be so much more to come and see! This new mural is being painted on the outside of Gallery 1 facing into the Quadrangle.