Ingleburn Army Camp
Encyclopedia
Ingleburn Army Camp was a purpose built camp constructed in 1940 for the Australian Army
at Ingleburn, New South Wales
, Australia
.
to provide for the formation of the Second Australian Imperial Force
(2AIF).
During World War II
, the camp became the major army training facility in New South Wales. Many important army units who, having trained at the camp, served in some of the major engagements of World War II. All corps were trained at the camp including engineers, transport, signals and anti-aircraft units.
Following the outbreak of the Korean War
during the 1950s, Battalions destined for Korea were stationed at the camp. National Service
recommenced and the camp was a major National Service centre. Many Australians experienced military training at the camp prior to going into an Army Reserve
unit.
The Commonwealth Government extended compulsory military training in 1964 and conscripts were sent on military operations outside Australia.
The training of National Service recruits was the main function of the camp from 1951 until 1972, when the Commonwealth Government abolished National Service. Since the end of World War II the Camp's main function was training camp for the National Service Scheme (1951–1972) and as the Headquarters of Second Training Group of the Army Reserves (post 1973).
The Camp on the southern side of Campbeltown road was occupied by the First Signal Regiment from my earliest recollection in the late 1960's until about 1980 when 1 Sig Regt was redeployed to Enoggera Baracks in Brisbane QLD.
The Camp began was wound down in mid-1990s with units gradually being transferred to other locations. Many buildings were demolished or destroyed by fire in the late 1990s. The site has been vacant since late 2000.
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
at Ingleburn, New South Wales
Ingleburn, New South Wales
Ingleburn is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Ingleburn is located 44 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of City of Campbelltown and is part of the Macarthur region...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
History
Originally known as Ingleburn Military Camp, the commonwealth acquired 684 acres (2.8 km²) in 1940, which the army had already occupied after setting up tents on 8 October 1939. Accommodation was constructed shortly after by the 2/16th Australian Infantry Battalion2/16th Australian Infantry Battalion
The 2/16th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, serving during World War II. Attached to the 21st Brigade of the 7th Division, it was formed in 1940 and saw action against Vichy French forces in Syria and Lebanon and the Japanese in New Guinea.-Formation:The 2/16th Battalion...
to provide for the formation of the Second Australian Imperial Force
Second Australian Imperial Force
The Second Australian Imperial Force was the name given to the volunteer personnel of the Australian Army in World War II. Under the Defence Act , neither the part-time Militia nor the full-time Permanent Military Force could serve outside Australia or its territories unless they volunteered to...
(2AIF).
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the camp became the major army training facility in New South Wales. Many important army units who, having trained at the camp, served in some of the major engagements of World War II. All corps were trained at the camp including engineers, transport, signals and anti-aircraft units.
Following the outbreak of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
during the 1950s, Battalions destined for Korea were stationed at the camp. National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
recommenced and the camp was a major National Service centre. Many Australians experienced military training at the camp prior to going into an Army Reserve
Australian Army Reserve
The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...
unit.
The Commonwealth Government extended compulsory military training in 1964 and conscripts were sent on military operations outside Australia.
The training of National Service recruits was the main function of the camp from 1951 until 1972, when the Commonwealth Government abolished National Service. Since the end of World War II the Camp's main function was training camp for the National Service Scheme (1951–1972) and as the Headquarters of Second Training Group of the Army Reserves (post 1973).
The Camp on the southern side of Campbeltown road was occupied by the First Signal Regiment from my earliest recollection in the late 1960's until about 1980 when 1 Sig Regt was redeployed to Enoggera Baracks in Brisbane QLD.
The Camp began was wound down in mid-1990s with units gradually being transferred to other locations. Many buildings were demolished or destroyed by fire in the late 1990s. The site has been vacant since late 2000.
Units based at Ingleburn Army Camp
- 2/16th Australian Infantry Battalion
- 2/20th Australian Infantry Battalion
- 1 Signal Regiment ? - December 1980
Memorials
The memorials located at Ingleburn Army Camp include;- 2/16th Australian Infantry Battalion Memorial (relocated)
- National Servicemen Memorial (relocated)
- Memorial Wall dedicated (lists names of all units which have served at Ingleburn)
- Memorial grove of cypress surrounding a sandstone column monument