Marrinup Prisoner of War Camp

Author

National Trust of Western Australia

Place Number

03103

Location

Forest Block No 23 Marrinup

Location Details

4 km North-West of Dwellingup, Marrinup

Local Government

Murray

Region

Peel

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted
State Register Registered 04 Apr 1996 HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Local Heritage Survey Adopted 26 Mar 2020 Category A
Register of the National Estate Indicative Place

Statement of Significance

The remains of the Marrinup Prisoner of War Camp, spread over an area of approximately 18 hectares and, at its peak, capable of housing 600 German and Italian POWs in Livingston (timber) huts, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: the camp is the only example of a purpose built Second World War prisoner of war camp constructed in Western Australia,; the place is highly representative of military humanitarian philosophy and customs in Australia, and an example of the Australian Government's compliance with the requirements of the Geneva Convention in relation to the detention of prisoners of war; the place is historically and socially important as a reminder of the impact of the Second World War on Western Australia, and the employment of prisoners of war in the south-west agriculture and timber-milling industries to alleviate manpower shortages caused by the war; the camp is closely associated with the hundreds of men - German, Italian and Australian - who were either prisoners or personnel at the camp; and, the place is a rich source of physical and archaeological evidence relating to the activities of a prisoner of war camp in Australia during the Second World War.

History

Assessment 1997 Construction 1943 Documentary Evidence For a detailed discussion of the documentary evidence, refer to the Reports by: Wesson,J. 'An Archaeological Assessment of the Abandoned Marrinup Town Site and Prisoner of War Camp, W.A. (unpublished report. Centre for Pre­ history, University of Western Australia for Department of Conservation and Land Management, 1990). Churchill,T. 'Marrinup Townsite and POW Camp. Conservation and Recreation Development Plan' (Department of Conservation and Land Management, Departmental use only plan, October 1990). Bodycoat,R. Duncan Stephen and Mercer, Architects 'Marrinup Prisoner of War Camp, Dwellingup, W.A. Conservation Review' (prepared for the Ministry of Premier and Cabinet, July 1995). Johnston.R. Marrinup Prisoner of War Camp - A History. (1986).

Place Type

Historic Site

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Present Use GOVERNMENTAL Other
Original Use GOVERNMENTAL Other

Architectural Styles

Style
Other Style

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall TIMBER Other Timber

Historic Themes

General Specific
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES World Wars & other wars

Creation Date

22 Apr 1993

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

19 May 2025

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.