Kingstown Barracks

Constructing the Barrack Complex

Work on the railway began in 1935 by contractor Ron Oldham (4, p.166) and construction of the Barracks couldn’t begin until it was completed, as it was needed for conveying materials from the Army Jetty to the site.

Constructing the main Barracks began in late 1936 by contractor F.J. Deacon, overseen by construction engineer George Nelson, for a contract price of £28,669. The Department of Interior’s Engineer-in-Charge, Frank Hussey, oversaw construction with an expected completion date of March 11.

FJ Deacon was also awarded a tender for the “erection of a workshop group of buildings” (£8,785) on 29 October 1936, which is likely to have been for the Engine Shed & Store and the Workshop & Store.

With the exception of sandstone, sand and water, which were all readily available on the island, all other resources were shipped over from the mainland on the Agnes and Dutchess barges. FJ Deacon sub-contracted the pleasure steamer Emerald for the winter months, which required it to be fitted out to undertake the work of carrying “approximately 10,000 tons of materials at the rate of about 60 tons a day”. The first consignment of steel rails and sheet iron was delivered to the island on May 22, 1936. Despite F. J. Deacon not starting work on the barracks until later in the year, perhaps they wanted to ensure as much of the materials were available on hand in time for the start of construction.

With the completion of the barracks in 1937 and the contract for furnishings being given to Millar’s Timber and Trading Coy Ltd for £3,319.15 on 17 February 1937, high quality jarrah furniture began making its way over to the island. One particular wall cabinet was said to have been too big to move into the building, which led to a tender being advertised to dismantle the cabinet and rebuild it in its final position. Contractor F J Deacon won the contract and instead of dismantling the furniture, he removed the end wall of the building, placed the cabinet into position and then proceeded to rebuild the wall.

A review of the barracks facility detailed the level of comfort and convenience that had been incorporated into the design. Two-bed cubicles in the men’s rooms were partitioned with large jarrah wardrobes and in rooms for more permanent staff, “a shaving cabinet with mirror door and chromium plated tower rail is built in beside each bed” and “the wardrobe has a writing-table flap”. Electric clocks located in the main room were “controlled by a master-clock in the tower” and the extensive list, including a tapestry brick fireplace, comfortable armchairs and billiard-room, continues throughout the article.