Sunday History Photo / Qld-NT

Submitted: Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 08:22
ThreadID: 80446 Views:4127 Replies:9 FollowUps:2
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The 190th QM Gasoline Supply Company , US Army

This Organisation disembarked from the U.S.A.T. James T. Parker at Hamilton Wharf, Brisbane, on 6 April 1942, taking station at Ascot Race Course in Brisbane. Three 2.5 ton CMC 6x6 Cargo tracks, one Dodge half ton 4x4 C & B, one Willys quarter ton 4x4 GP Truck, one Dodge half ton 4x4 Pickup, four Gasoline Dispensers and 3200 five gallon gasoline containers were the only organizational equipment that arrived at the Port of Debarkation.
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During the month of April personnel of the organisation operated a gasoline filling station near Ascot Park, and one at Brett's Wharf. Personnel were also engaged in servicing motor vehicles as they were unloaded from the Ships. In addition to this, details were furnished 24 hours each day to work on the docks in the Brisbane Area unloading supplies.
On 1st June 1942 the organization was ordered to Mt Isa, per movement order No 51, Hqs Base Section No 3, dated 1 June 1942. Twenty two 1 ton trailers were procured on requisition prior to departure, and all other freight was shipped on the 3rd of June. June 4 the organisation entrained at the Roma Street Station in Brisbane and departed for Mt Isa for a permanent change of station.
On June 7th the unit arrived at Mt Isa after traveling a distance of 1400 miles. They set up camp over night in an area 3 miles north of Mt Isa.
On June 12th they started the construction of a new camp area at Rifle Creek, 20 miles south of Mt Isa. Company area was built next to the railroad siding where gasoline was to be unloaded and a Class III supply reserve dump established, Twenty miles of road on the Duchess Rd was repaired, 5 bridges were constructed, also constructed was a loading ramp 60 ft, long and 20 ft wide, it was made of stone and logs and was located next to the tracks. After completion of this task plans were changed and Company did not move to this area, A group of personnel were placed on Detached Service on 26 June to establish overnight camps on the Barkly Hwy and the Stuart Hwy between Mt Isa, Qld and Birdum, NT. Night Camp No 1 was set up at Bore 19 and was 170 miles From Mt Isa, Camp No 2 was set up at Bore 6A, 160 miles from Camp No 1, Camp No. 3 was set up at Helen Springs, 210 miles from Bore 6A and Camp No 4 was established at Birdum and was 700 miles from Base Camp, One NCO and 7 Pvts were stationed at each of the 4 camps, the duty of this personnel was to establish a reserve Class III supply camp and to gas convoys that were going to and returning from Birdum, from 2 to 4 convoys of 50 or more trucks were fueled practically every day.The Cooks prepared meals for camp personnel as well as for convoy personnel that stayed overnight. The road at this time was very poor but construction was rapidly in progress. At first all fuel was pumped with rotary hand pumps from 44 gallon drums but after a week of hard manual labor & Gilbert & Barker motor driven pump was installed at each of the camps. These pumps were installed so that 4 vehicles could be refueled at once and under perfect conditions a convoy of 50 trucks could be refueled in 30 minutes, thus the name we have today Gilbarco servicing fuel pumps at service Stations.
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Reply By: Member - Patrick (QLD) - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 08:45

Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 08:45
Doug,

Where do you get your ideas from as your weekly stories of history are quite diverse?

I always enjoy them and in particular the pub with no beer. I'm still playing it to the annoyance of other family members.

Keep up the great work!

Patrick

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Follow Up By: carlsp - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 09:41

Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 09:41
Patrick

Pub with no beer is an essential item for every grey nomad free camper. Perfect for those wicked campers that park too close when there is miles of room. Just put it on at "Warp factor 12" and no more wicked camper.
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Follow Up By: Member - Patrick (QLD) - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 14:32

Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 14:32
You may find that it may attract other people due to its popularity.

Maybe a bit of Dolly Pardon may scare them off!

Patrickj
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Reply By: Member - David C2 (VIC) - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 09:57

Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 09:57
Thanks Doug another great story from our past.

Happy travels Dave
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Reply By: Dave & Shelley (NT) - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 10:34

Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 10:34
Great read, keep them coming!!
AnswerID: 425888

Reply By: Member - John Q (QLD) - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 11:35

Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 11:35
Well done Doug, I always look forward to your Sunday postings. Thanks for the time & effort you put into your research.

John
just crusin & smelling the flowers

1. At Halls Creek (Is he really lost?)
2. East of Cameron Cnr


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Reply By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 11:44

Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 11:44
G/Day Doug

Another good story, keep it up mate.


Cheers
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Reply By: Marion - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 12:10

Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 12:10
Hi Doug, thanks again, great read as usual, cheers Marion
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Reply By: petengail - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 16:52

Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 16:52
thanks again doug - my father drove transports to and from darwin during the war. wonder if he got a fill up from one of these? cheeers
AnswerID: 425908

Reply By: Dasher Des - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 17:18

Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 17:18
Another good read Doug. I have a book called "The Long Road North" by Alex Tanner, ISBN 0 646 238167 which is about the construction of the Stuart Highway during the war and the transport companies that used it is a very good read of this region.

Doug, did you get my email a few weeks ago regarding Cecil Madigan and his exploits?
AnswerID: 425909

Reply By: roberttbruce - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 21:39

Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 21:39
a nice read doug...
can you do requests? The Brisbane Line of Road would be interesting..
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