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Chermside Army Camp Area ‘J’
Marchant Park
Dedicated as a war memorial park in 1924, Marchant Park developed into a major cricketing venue by the 1930s. As such, the Army were initially not permitted to use the park, when the adjacent Chermside Army Camp opened in 1940. But the rapid expansion of the Chermside Army Camp in 1941–42 meant that the Army were allowed restricted access to merchant Park by 1943. No Army structures were allowed to be built in the park and it was largely used for driver training and for vehicle testing and storage.
Place information
Location
Place type
Military camp
History
In 1899, soft drinks entrepreneur and philanthropist George Marchant bought 97 acres of land at Chermside. The block became known as Marchant’s Paddock. As Marchant’s Paddock had been used for some military training, it was selected as campsite for the training of Australian Light Horse units during World War One. By 1916, the area encompassing Marchant’s Paddock and adjacent Sparkes’ Paddock was designated “Military Training Camp Chermside” or the Chermside Camp.
In 1917, Marchant offered to donate Marchant’s Paddock to the Kedron Shire Council for use as a public park. Marchant’s offer was given on the proviso that Kedron Shire resume...
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