Kingstown Barracks

Child Places

• 03653 Officer's & N.C.O.'s Precinct
• 03321 Bickley Battery
• 03654 Hospital Precinct

Statement of Significance

Although of comparatively recent construction, the significance of Kingstown barracks will accrue through it being a component of the Coastal Defence Gun battery for Defended Ports throughout Australia and with reference to the Port of Fremantle prior to World War II. It is one of two remaining establishments in Australia conceived n the 1930’s and per se reflecting international defence strategies of the time. The other establishment is in NSW. The layout of these barracks depicts the formality of Army hierarchy, the segregation of ranks and it is an encapsulation of all functions of army life prior to WWII. It has remained in service with army relatively unaltered except for very minor details et: wind partitions added to verandahs for accommodation of extra national service personnel in the 1950’s; minor kitchen and bathroom refurbishing; removal of joinery from barracks to increase sleeping accommodation. There are many components in these buildings which have been left largely unmodified since installation, for example, shelving, partitions, kitchen and bathroom installations, annotations on rooms and doors, fireplaces, built in furniture, gutters and brickwork. The intact preservation of these items particularly during alternative uses or alteration should be pursued relentlessly.

Physical Description

BRICK BARRACKS COMPLEX: was designed in 1936 to include four Warrant Officers or sergeants and seventy two rank and file. The Barracks building and two smaller administrative buildings (1937) – the R.A.A. and R.A.E. administrative buildings enclose the parade ground on three sides. The central clock tower is set in front of the recreation hall, mess and kitchen. The tower contains a projection room and two copper water tanks (and a clock once). The partitioning of the dormitories was a new innovation to army practice, but has unfortunately been removed to increase accommodation. All materials except sandstone, sand and water came from the mainland. Footings are of stone, with red brick walls, asbestos roofing, standard timber roof and floor construction. The arched timber trusses over the recreation room are of interest and the jarrah furniture throughout is of high quality. All buildings are in very good condition. HOSPITAL AND COTTAGES: Hospital intended as a collection centre and cottages for NCO’s Gunner and Officers are of sound timber-framed asbestos sheet clad construction typical of the time, on brick bases, with fireplaces. The cottages are laid out round a simple rectangular space.

History

Assessment 1982 Construction 1936-38 Architect/builder: Dept of Interior NSW. Architect in charge of Drawing Office: F. Bonwick Works Director: C.A.Hoy Builder: Contractor F.H Deacon Engineer: George Neslon Engineer in charge for Dept: F. Husssey Supervisor: Alf Deakin See also PWD Comm report Nov 1967 Includes Barracks Building Precinct; Officers and NCO's Quarter precinct; Hospital Precinct

Uses

Creation Date

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