Australia – as a relatively young nation with preservation in heritage sites still in its growth – has few wartime historical sites remaining to nurture public interest.
Nevertheless, the 21st Century has seen a big leap forward in historical interest with the Centennial of the ANZAC entry into the First World War.
A connection between Chidlow and wartimes extends back to WWI when out of 88 locals who received honourable mention, 12 did not return – likely a high proportion of the area’s population at the time.
The Chidlow Army Camps are not only a significant part of Australia’s military heritage but are unique because they offer today’s generation a real and meaningful place where history can be seen and felt directly.
While AIF troops were fighting the war overseas in December 1941, Western Australia was being defended by a locally-raised militia brigade – the 13th Infantry Brigade – with its four battalions based at Melville.
The threat in March 1942 of a potential Japanese invasion of Australia meant that the establishment of extra army camps in WA was of paramount importance to Australia’s defence.
And they are important historically because WA grew from a barely defended outpost at the end of 1941 to the base for around 30% of the Australian Army by end 1942. Most of the 60,000 troops that served in WA would have spent some time at Chidlow.
Chidlow (formerly Chidlow’s Well) was chosen as it was on the main railway line, on the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme (GWSS) pipeline, in forested country for camouflage and training, and close enough to Perth to allow the troops to go on leave but far enough away to discourage informal leave.
Initially seven campsites were developed and constructed between May-September 1942 and until 1944 more than 115 units camped in Chidlow to become acclimatised after arriving in WA or as they prepared to leave for NT or New Guinea.
The camps were located adjacent to the main road (now old Northam Road) north east of the Chidlow townsite. The three battalion camps were located north of the GWSS pipeline while the other camps that made up the Brigade service camps were located along the main road.
Although seven camps have since developed into private land holdings, four (three battalion and one service camp) are on crown land – and have remained relatively unchanged since 1944.
Chidlow Army Camps, in particular the former battalion camps, is one of the few locations were a former standing camp layout/remains provide a unique view into wartime heritage of its kind rarely found in Australia.
No other WA wartime camp has archived photographs and maps (hand drawn by the 6th Inf Bde Gp, first to occupy the camp) to the extent of Chidlow, offering a rare insight into, and connection with, the past.
Sharing this exciting experience will ensure its preservation for future generations.
Source: Chidlow Army Camps WWII Report, Tom Hogarth. Graham McKenzie-Smith, June 2011
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