US Army Ordnance Depot

Royal Navy (RN) Depot

Built in 1943, the Geebung Stores Depot was part of the US forces’ infrastructure program to develop Brisbane as General MacArthur’s supply base for an offensive against the Japanese. Depots were built near wharves or railway lines. The Geebung Depot’s location confirmed a policy of confining US sites to the eastern side of the North Coast rail line.

Place information

Location

Robinson Road East and Bilsen Road

Geebung, QLD 4034

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Place type

Ammunition facility

History

In 1943, the Federal Government used its National Security Regulations to requisition land from Edith Sweet, William Horn and Mr. A. Kussman of the College View Estate Syndicate. The site, bounded by Sandgate, Zillmere, Bilsen and Robinson Roads, was developed as an US ammunition and fuel depot. A military labour unit drawn from Philippines refugees may have built the depot. Geebung local Vince Quinlan recalled seeing these construction workers:

I had never seen any foreign troops until we had a bunch of Filipinos march down here. They were not troops. They were brought out as labourers.^[i]

The Depot comprised 21 fibro and...

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