RAAF Base Pearce

Statement of Significance

The red brick buildings dating from the 1930/40s represent the form and aesthetic that is associated with the significant history of World War II associations in the district. The former red brick entry gates are a landmark feature along Great Northern Highway; The place was established in the Inter-War period, in order to train Army and Air Force personnel, and provide security against any future seaborne attacks on Western Australia; and The place remains the primary facility for the training of RAAF personnel in Western Australia.

Physical Description

The RAAF Base Pearce at Bullsbrook has an area of almost 1,000 hectares and is located approximately 35 kilometres north northeast of Perth along Great Northern Highway. The majority of the buildings and associated infrastructure and support services are located in the eastern portion of the property. Runways occupy the central and south-eastern portion of the property. The control tower is located to the south west of the main hangers and maintenance workshops. The original entry to the RAAF Base Pearce at Bullsbrook comprises an Inter-war Functionalist style entrance gatehouse, which is sited slightly north of Brearley Street. It is no longer used as an entry point to the facility. The gatehouse building has a hipped tile roof and is constructed in red bricks laid in stretcher bond. The façade has a central vehicle entrance bay with two lower administration wings either side. A regular rhythm of white timber sash windows with horizontal mullions adorn the façade, some with a flat concrete awning above. The entrance gates, within the central bay, are constructed from iron in a geometric pattern. The base contains a number of other Air Force related structures, including accommodation facilities. The facilities dating from the original building campaign are distinguished through the use of red brick and white painted timber sash windows.

History

In 1928, an evaluation of the Australia Air Force (AAF) in Western Australia was undertaken by Air Marshal Sir John Salmon of the Royal Air Force (RAF). Reporting that the RAAF was totally unfit for war, he listed among its deficiencies, poor training, equipment and conditions of service, before making recommendations for a modest program of development spread over nine years. One of Salmon’s recommendations was that an Air Station should be established near Perth, and that a Citizens Air Force (CAF) should be established with a squadron in Western Australia, which should cooperate with the training of Army Units and provide additional security against seaborne attacks. Due to limited finances no action was undertaken until 1934, when the Director of Air Force Works and Building selected the subject site then comprising 640 acres (260 hectares) in Bullsbrook. Construction of the Air Base began in 1936, and was estimated to cost $2,000,000. The name ‘Pearce Air Force Station’ was chosen to commemorate Sir George Foster Pearce, KCVO, P.C. a Western Australian Senator. Pearce was the Minister of Defence between 1910 and 1921. In 1938 the Air Force Base buildings on the Perth to Geraldton Road (now known as Great Northern Highway) were completed and an Open Day was held on Empire Day, 28 May 1938, attended by 25,000 people. Other buildings on site were completed in the following years. Following the outbreak of World War Two in September 1939, pilot training was intensified and a rapid program of building was undertaken to provide living quarters and classrooms for the influx of Air Crew trainees and ground staff. Following the end of World War Two, the Pearce Air Base resumed the task of training pilots should the RAAF need to expand rapidly in response to an emergency. The original entrance gates to the base were closed in 1987, and a new more flexible entrance was provided. The RAAF Base Pearce continues to operate today as an Air Force Training Facility.

Integrity/Authenticity

Good

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

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