Army No 5 Base Ordnance Depot Precinct

Child Places

• 15289 Nungarin Bowling Club
• 24444 Army Fire Walls (Herbert's Paddock)
• 03482 Army Vehicle Workshop (fmr)
• 15294 Nungarin Swimming Pool

Values

• The place represents an almost complete ordnance Depot.
• The place was a component of the defence strategy of the Australian Army during World War II.
• The place is associated with the development of the town of Nungarin as the Army during its occupation build facilities which are now used and owned by the Shire of Nungarin.

Physical Description

Army Firewalls: ‘The brick buttressed walls in Herbert’s paddock are all that remain of the central firewalls of five large storehouses. Four of the walls are complete, but the fifth only partly remains. Attempts at demolition were mostly unsuccessful because of the method of construction which entailed the use of cement mortar.’ Army No5 Base Ordnance Depot Site: ‘Until the dismantling of the Nungarin Depot in 1960 – 1962, it was the largest storage facility for Army ordnance in Western Australia, built at a cost of approximately ten million pounds. Some of the storehouses had a floor area of over 42 000 square feet. The storehouse portion of the Depot covered 615 acres.’ ‘Specific facilities included; No 1 Sub Depot; Proofing range; Machine Workshop; Motor Transport Workshop; Signals Instrument Workshop; Armoury Workshop; Engineers Workshops; Parts Reclamation Building; Army Powerhouse; Administration building; Tank Workshops; Quartermaster Stores, Medical Facilities and Post Office.’

History

‘Because of the fear of a Japanese invasion of Western Australia, it was decided to move three of the Australian Army’s ten divisions to this state. As a consequence of this buildup there was a need for considerable support facilities, including ordnance depots. These needed to be on established roads and rail routes with good water supply and telephone communications and far enough inland to be out of the range of carrier borne enemy aircraft. Nungarin was selected as a suitable site for an ordnance and stores depot, and in September 1942, the Army acquired 1720 acres of land in the town.’ ‘The Nungarin Base was initially known as No 7 Australia Advanced Ordnance Depot, and was divided into four sections: Vehicle park, Workshops, Equipment and Ordnance Depot.’ ‘Construction at the base continued until as late as 1946 and was said to be the largest Army camp in Western Australia. The facility incorporated the Army Vehicle Workshop, as well as a multitude of other workshops, shelters, offices, stores, medical facilities, a powerhouse, and a post office, as well as administration block and a vehicle park. All were built and equipped at a cost of more than 10 million pounds. ‘ ‘Approximately 1200 troops were stationed in Nungarin at one time. The Australia Woman’s Army Service was also situated at the base and provided with separate facilities.’ ‘Immediately after the cessation of hostilities in 1945, applications for discharge commenced and many persons awaiting discharge were posted to the depot.’ ‘On 19th January 1946, Number 1 Store was demolished by fire. A newspaper report of the time estimated that approximately £200 000 worth of army stores and equipment had been lost in one of the most costly conflagrations to occur in the state. The shed had been used for the storage of tyres, engines, lighting plants, artillery pieces and generators, and had been equipped with a crane that operated on girders running the full length of the roof. The intense heat from the fire softened the girders and completely wrecked the crane.’ ‘Late in 1946, the existing units and the cell of 9 BOD were amalgamated into one unit known as 9 BOD. This unit was to have its headquarters at Midland, with bulk holdings retained at Nungarin. During the 1946 Christmas leave period, records, furniture, fittings were transferred from Nungarin and the centralised Control Office was established at Midland.’ ‘In October 1955 an area of approximately 85 acres was sold to the State Government of Western Australia and some of the buildings, fences and gates were disposed of locally.’ ‘Nungarin still enjoys a legacy of sporting facilities either constructed or initiated and assisted by the army during their time of occupation. Australian Archive files record that the O’Meara Club and Swimming Pool was purchased by the newly declared Nungarin Shire Council. The Nungarin Bowling Club purchased the Sergeants mess to be used as a Clubhouse.’ ‘The vehicle maintenance Workshop was purchased by the Nungarin Shire Council for £1000 for use as a depot for the storage and maintenance of Shire Equipment. The workshop is a unique timber building of approximately 2500 thousand square metres.’

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity- Low Authenticity- High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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