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Rottnest Island Army Timeline
1935
The original jetty located at the southern end of Thomson Bay, built in 1906, is extended by 47 feet and strengthened to enable a heavy lifting overhead gantry to be installed. This would unload the ships of their deliveries, particularly the building materials for constructing the military instalments (Conservation Management Plan).
May - Rottnest Island is inspected by Lieutenant-General Sir JJ Talbolt Hobbs, Brigadier Martin, Major Pain and Lieutenant Hussey for potential sites to install 9.2” and 6” gun batteries (Register of Heritage Places).
June - The Commonwealth Department of Interior is “authorised to proceed with fortification works on Rottnest Island,” which consists of emplacements for two 9.2” guns, two 6” guns, four searchlights, magazine shell stores, a powerhouse and a directing station.
July - Sir Colonel Vernon Ashton Hobart Sturdee (1890-1966), Director of Military Operations and Intelligence, travels from Melbourne to Rottnest for a further inspection of the island for potential sites to construct barracks, workshops and other facilities that would be required for future coastal defences (Conservation Management Plan).
September - Army Engineer Lieutenant Hussey is transferred from Sydney to Rottnest to supervise construction work of the railway and early works on the island, which is being carried out by private contractors under the supervision of army personnel (Conservation Management Plan).
1937
October 10 - The newly opened Kingston Barracks is built with an “up-to-date system of hydrants and chemical extinguishers” in case of fire.
1938
April - Construction of the Bickley Battery gun emplacements is complete.
1939
September - Two 6” MK XI guns are installed at Bickley Battery on PV6 mountings.
1941
June 16-23 - Camouflaging is continuing on the directing stations (AWM2020.71.3758).
August
15 - Some of the extensive duties 8 Anti-Aircraft Fortress Company completed this week:
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Unloaded firebricks, cement slabs and timber from the H wagons
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Erected a motor bike shed for the Signals Section (AWM2020.71.3759).
30 - Some of the extensive duties 8 Anti-Aircraft Fortress Company completed this week:
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Working in the quarry (other entries state they are quarrying stone for a retaining wall) (AWM2020.71.3759)
November 11 - Staff from the Harbour Trust arrive on Rottnest to inspect their property (AWM2020.71.7560).
Military preparations of 11th Battalion on Rottnest Island, 10 November 1937
1942
January
17 - A report is submitted to DCE on a proposed Rife Range (AWM2020.71.2725).
23 - 10 Garrison Battalion B Company commence building dug-outs (AWM2020.71.7561).
March
23 - Instructions are received from the Deputy Chief Engineer (DCE) to construct a 500 yard rifle range with a seven target range encompassing firing mounts at 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 yards (AWM2020.71.2725).
30 - Construction on the Cable Store is complete. Weather proofing of the Command Posts and Battery Observation Posts (BOPs) have commenced. All guns, command posts etc have been camouflaged (NAA: MP742/1, 82/9/5).
31 - 22 Aust Army Fd Coy begin work on extending the Rottnest Jetty (AWM2020.71.2725).
April 24 - Work on the rifle range is completed (AWM2020.71.2725).
July 08 - A representative from the Forestry departments visits the Island to advise on the planting of Marram Grass to stop sand drifts at Barnett’s Gully and Neck (AWM2020.71.7561).
October 31 - A 3”20 CWT dummy gun will be constructed but not manned until the first hostile attack or recce has taken place. A Bofors dummy gun will be constructed and sited in position (AWM2019.366.1548).
November
07 - Disruptive painting commences on vehicles and guns (AWM2019.366.1668).
10 - Coverage of the guns is complete and the plotting room has been started (AWM2019.366.2954).
Rottnest Searchlights:
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No.29 (previously no.7) at Bickley Battery – 60” Conc HCD Lighting Light – 90cm is presently installed
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No.30 (previously no.8) at Bickley Battery – 60” Conc HCD Lighting Light – 60” is being installed in lieu of 90cm
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No.31 (previously no.9) at Bickley Battery – 90cm Conc HCD Lighting Light - Already installed
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No.32 (previously no.10) at Olivers Battery – 90cm Conc HCD Lighting Light – Already installed
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No.33 (previously no.8) at Flame – 90cm Conc HCD Lighting Light – Existing number 8 will be installed here
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No.34 (previously no.6) at Flame – 90cm Conc HCD Lighting Light – Already installed (AWM2020.71.3763)
December 04 - As material becomes available, all vehicles are being painted and camouflaged (AWM2019.366.1548).
All beach defences have been completely constructed but are yet to be camouflaged (AWM2019.366.1548).
Quick release devices for camouflaging guns is to be installed, with one completed found to be successful. Fulfillment to complete the others is pending on a requisitor (AWM2019.366.1548).
Observation Post Rottnest under construction at Rottnest Island
- 24 November 1942
1943
Radar fire control equipment is established at West End, Bare Hill and Tree Hill (Conservation Management Plan).
January
15 - All field kitchens and fire places are completed with the aid of Fortress Engineers. Arrangements have been made to commence rationing and cooking as from 21 January (AWM2019.366.1548).
21 - BHQ and Troops commence cooking and rationing. Officers and Sergeants commence their own mess. (AWM2019.366.1548).
31 - Two searchlight Defence Electric Lights (DEL) are now operating (AWM2019.366.1550).
The battery canteen is now operating, thanks to the approval of a £50 loan (AWM2019.366.1550).
Fire breaks have been made in all gun areas (AWM2019.366.1550).
February 28 - Ammunition recesses are to be incorporated into gun pits and timber is being requisitioned (AWM2019.366.1550).
Mess shelters have been constructed at all kitchen sites around the island (AWM2019.366.1550).
Field incinerators have been constructed where required, for the burning of refuse (AWM2019.366.1550).
March
03 - 70% of Phillip Rock is demolished by the 8 Anti-Aircraft Fortress Company (AWM2020.71.3761).
16 - The Commander of Fixed Defences makes an application to HQ 3 Aust Corps for 18pr to increase beach defences from two to six (AWM2019.366.2951).
April 12 - Draining of the depression at the Airfield Camp begins (AWM2020.71.7562).
May
08 - Drainage of the depression at the Airfield Camp is now completed (AWM2019.366.2951).
Revetting of the sand drift in the neck area of the island with bush is in progress (AWM2020.71.7562).
10 - A recommendation, made by Co 10 Garr Bn for installations of photo electric beams to detect vessels entering bays at Rottnest, has now been approved by HQ 3 Aust Corps. (AWM2019.366.2951).
17 - A Coast Defence RDF set arrives in Fremantle and will be installed at Rottnest (AWM2019.366.2951).
19 - Revetting of the neck area of the island with brushwood is complete (AWM2020.71.7562).
August 25 - Camouflaging of camp staff huts is completed (AWM2020.71.7562).
August-September
Estimates are prepared and forwarded to LHQ for funds to construct Radio Location Accommodation and AWAS Signals Accommodation (AWM2020.71.1983).
September 23 - The 18pr equipment is proofed with the firing of six rounds (AWM2019.366.2953).
1944
April-June
Construction of Radio Location Accommodation and AWAS Signals Accommodation is completed (AWM2020.71.1983).
September 28 - A decision is being considered to withdrawal Sig personnel from Bathurst Light (AWM2020.71.7522).
References
AWM2019.366.1548 - 116 Australian Light Anti Aircraft Regiment - January 1943
AWM2019.366.1550 - 116 Australian Light Anti Aircraft Regiment (AIF) – March to April 1943
AWM2019.366.1668 - 173 Australian Light Anti Aircraft Battery – October to November 1942
AWM2019.366.2951 - Fremantle Fixed Defences – March to June 1943
AWM2019.366.2953 - Fremantle Fixed Defences – September 1943
AWM2019.366.2954 - Fremantle Fixed Defences – October to November 1943
AWM2020.71.1983 - 68 Australian DCRE Works - November 1942 to February 1946
AWM2020.71.2725 - Royal Australian Engineers - December 1941 to December 1942
AWM2020.71.3758 - 8 Anti-Aircraft & Fortress Company – May to July 1941
AWM2020.71.3759 - 8 Anti-Aircraft & Fortress Company – August 1941 to May 1942
AWM2020.71.3761 - 8 Anti-Aircraft & Fortress Company - March to June 1943
AWM2020.71.7522 - 5 Garrison Battalion - January to November 1944
AWM2020.71.7560 - 10 Garrison Battalion - January to December 1941
AWM2020.71.7561 - 10 Garrison Battalion – January to December 1942
AWM2020.71.7562 - 10 Garrison Battalion – January to August 1943
AWM2020.71.3763 - 8 Anti-Aircraft & Fortress Company - July to December 1943 - Appendices
Conservation Management Plan - Oliver Hill Battery Rottnest Island: Conservation Management Plan. Completed on behalf of the Rottnest Island Authority by Palassis Architects (December 2005).
NAA: MP742/1, 82/9/5 - Fortress Installations, Fremantle and Albany WA
