
Above: Harristown, Toowoomba, Queensland. 1945-01-10. Gardening improvements at 6 Advanced Workshop indicating the figure bed illustrating the corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical engineers sign.
During the War in the Pacific Toowoomba became the headquarters of the First Army, formed under Lieutenant General J.D. Lavarack in April 1942. The First Army initially included the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 10th Infantry Divisions (Militia), 1st Motor Division (Militia) and the 7th Division 2nd Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF). By the end of April 1943 the First Army included the 4th Division (Militia), the 3rd Armoured Division (formerly 1st Motor Division) and the Torres Strait Force.
During 1941 a Mechanical Transport (MT) Ordnance Store had been proposed in Harristown for Northern Command (which was later dissolved in April 1942 and replaced by HQ Queensland Lines of Communications Area). Two large sawtooth-roofed store buildings, 375′ by 150′ (114m by 46m), were constructed between April and November 1942 by contractor John Young, and by December 1942 the site was known as the 3 Australian Advanced Ordnance Depot (3 AOD). The HQ of 3 AOD was apparently at the Trades Hall in Russell Street. By mid 1943 there were 9 buildings in the ordnance stores area, which was bounded by ANZAC Avenue (the Gore Highway) in the west, O'Quinn Street in the north, and the Southern Railway in the south.

Above: Harristown, Toowoomba, Queensland. 1945-01-10. the view from the main eastern gate looking along the path towards the other ranks' huts, 6 Advanced Workshop
A railway siding north of the Southern Railway ran alongside the east side of the store buildings, with spur lines inside the buildings. A 3-ton overhead travelling crane, built by Messrs Crossle, Duff and Cameron Pty Ltd, was delivered to No 1 Store in mid 1943.
The camp site for 3 AOD, built after November 1942 (with 24 buildings by mid 1943 and about 33 buildings by the end of the war) was located west of the Gore Highway, in the area bounded by Stephen Street in the north, Hampton Street in the west and just south of Stark Court to the south. The camp buildings were occupied by squatters by 1947, which hampered efforts to dispose of the site.

Above: Harristown, Toowoomba, Queensland. 1945-01-10. the view from the main drive, 6 Advanced Workshop across the main lawn and looking towards the officers' quarters, the sergeants' and officers' mess.
To the east of the northern ordnance store were workshops for 6 Australian Advanced Workshop, Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (AEME). The AEME was formed in December 1942, to maintain and repair the Army’s technical equipment. The workshop area, which included an armoury and firing range, was between O'Quinn Street in the north and Stephan and Duhig Streets in the south, to Fifth Avenue in the east, and included 13 structures by mid 1943.
The Workshop’s camp area (with 41 structures by mid 1943) was located to the east of the workshops area, between the Southern Railway in the north and Stephen Street in the south, and almost to Fourth Avenue in the east. Retained by the Commonwealth after the war, the camp’s buildings were leased to the Queensland Housing Commission from about 1949 to 1954, after which the buildings were removed.

Above: Google earth map from 2024 of the Ordnance and Workshop area
After the war the two large ordnance store buildings and building ‘B’ of the 6 Australian Advanced Workshop were retained by the Commonwealth and were leased to various commercial tenants. The two ordnance store buildings still exist east of the Gore Highway, between the railway line and O'Quinn Street. Building ‘B’ (225′ by 140′ (69m by 43m) when built) still exists north of Stephen Street, between the railway line and the ordnance stores.
Images courtesy of AWM & Google, information courtesy of ANZAC Sqaure
Save the date – RAQ Darling Downs gathering – Toowoomba City Golf Club

Above: Members and guests at the February 2025 function
The RAQ invites all current and former members of the Corps, partners, and supporters to join us for our third Darling Downs function for 2025, on Vietnam Veterans Day.
This special occasion provides a great opportunity to reconnect with mates, share stories, and celebrate our proud RAEME heritage in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
Event Details:
- Date: Sunday, 17 August 2025
- Time: 1200h – 1600h
- Location: Toowoomba City Golf Club – Ambrose Deck or Outside Deck
Look for the RAEME banners and enjoy RAQ lucky door prizes!
Everyone is welcome, including all who have served in the Corps, regardless of RAQ membership status. Partners are warmly invited. Whether you’re local to the Darling Downs or just passing through, we’d love to see you there.
Mark your calendar also for the last RAQ-DD gathering:
- Sunday, 16 November 2025 - celebrate our Corps Birthday
We’re grateful to Larry Martin, who will be coordinating the August function on behalf of RAQ-DD while I'm away travelling.
Help spread the word among fellow Spanners and make this another memorable RAEME gathering on the Darling Downs.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
Pete Pile
RAQ-DD Representative
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Arte et Marte!
RAQ Lunch 2025 Mermaid Beach (AEME) Surf Life Saving Club - 23 August

Gidday all
This is a heads notice in relation to the annual RAQ lunch at the MBSLC. Main points are detailed below:
- When: Saturday August the 23rd
- Timings: 1200 to approximately 1630
- Who: Any RAEME person serving / retired / male / female / wives / girlfriends / boyfriends
- Dress: Casual - its the Gold Coast !!
The plot will be as in previous years the Club provides us with an area on the verandah with tables / chairs that we can gin around in and you purchase your own meals and drinks. That said the RAEME Association Queensland will put a few bucks over the bar to kick things off.
Additionally we will do a couple of lucky door prizes. Its a dead casual afternoon with the primary aim of catching up with friends.
You only need toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are planning on attending. Please let me know your guests name as well. I will do up a little spread sheet of attendees and include it in July and August heads up emails.
Regards
Eddie Bevans
Annual RAEME Reserve/CMF Reunion - Brisbane

Above: Members and guests at the 2024 Reunion.
The Annual reunion is open to all serving and ex members of RAEME (Army Reserve/CMF or Regular Army) or associated Corps who served with RAEME Res/ CMF units, their families and other people who were associated with RAEME and who wish to renew past friendships. Ex cadre staff members most welcome.
If you know of anyone interested in attending who may not be aware of the function could you pass on this information.
- When: Sunday 17th August 2025
- Time: 1100 hrs – 1600hrs
- Where: Sherwood/lndooroopilly RSL Sub Branch 2 Clewley Street CORINDA. Next to Corinda railway station
- Cost: $5 includes BBQ Lunch. Drinks at bar prices
- RSVP: John Parfit 10 August 2025
Great raffles including:
- Books, Wine, Gift Vouchers $100, $50, $20 & More
John Parfitt
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33761778