Ardath Army Ordnance and Supply Camp Site

Statement of Significance

The site represents significant associations with war time activities in Western Australia.

Physical Description

The camp included; 50 sheds (36ft x 36ft) fibro cement and corrugated iron with earth floors; 30 shelters (72ft x 30ft), 5 sheds for high explosives, stables for 50 horses; kitchens & mess; Quartemaster store; ablution facilities; administration building; 250 tent accommodations. 8 miles of connecting roads within the 2000 acres. Rail spur into the facility from the main line.

Remains on site include; the embankment of the railway siding, the concrete water tank, an ablution building, some concrete foundations, the tennis court and the Homestead used by the officers.

The site east if town had a gate and guardhouse and there are remains of the gravel road. The water supply was an elaborate rock wall on a granite outcrop, north of Walton's homestead and a 300,000 gallon concrete tank with a pipe to the campsite.

History

With the fear of a Japanese invasion during WWII, troops were recalled from the Middle East and vast amounts of equipment vital to the defence of Australia was in urgent need of safe storage facilities. The Army Minister gave almost immediate approval for the use of two inland storage facilities in Booraan, east of Merredin and Kwyolin in the Bruce Rock area. Ardath was second and final choice for the Bruce Rock area. Ardath became a town of minor strategic importance. Part of the land was reserve land, but 461 acres was private land owned by Hounslow and Carter who were reluctant to lose their land. They were forced to quit their tenancy when the land was leased under the National Securities Regulations. Buildings for the site were tendered in September 1942 and allocated to 4 contractors who partially prefabricated the structures in Perth They were railed to Ardath by Christmas 1942. The stores remained at the Ardath Railway Siding, however it was illegal to store or unload ammunition in or near a town and it became necessary to construct a rail spur into the depot

Prisoners of War worked at the camp in the later war years. The campsite became a social centre for the area with concerts and pictures and dances after 10pm.

After the war, the site became a repository for obselete ammunition. Some of the ammunition was burned and in 1947, the remaining ammunition was railed to Albany and dumped at sea. By July 1948, the camp was completely closed. The Commonwealth Government purcha\sed the private section of land for a Soldier Settlement Schmeme and Mr JB Muntz was allocated the portion of the site. The reserve was converted into the Golf course and the buildings were deconstructed and railed to Perth.

Condition

Site only

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.