Brown Building used by the Military during WW2

BROWN BUILDING
BRISBANE, QLD
USED BY THE MILITARY
DURING WW2

visits since 18 December 2001

State Library of Queensland - Image Number: 97398

Customs House 1930 with Thomas Brown & Sons Ltd building in the background

State Library of Queensland Image number: API-016-0001-0005

Ships tied up at the wharves in front of the Thomas Brown building, Brisbane, ca. 1898

I believe that may be the Brown Building at the far left of the photo, the whitish building. This
photo was taken in late January 1974 and you will note that the Brisbane River is badly flooded.

The Headquarters Commandant section of the 5th Air Force Service Command was located in the Brown Building in Brisbane, Queensland in October 1943. It is believed that this was the Thomas Brown & Sons Ltd building which was located at/near the corner of Eagle Street and Queen Street, Brisbane. It had its own private wharf on the Brisbane River.

The first Eagle Street warehouse was built on the site by D. L. Brown & Co, a company owned by David Laughland Brown. This building was totally destroyed by fire in 1888, and new building was designed by architect, F. D. G. Stanley. It was considered most imposing and ornate for its time. It came complete with Italian Renaissance elevations on the Brisbane river side of the building and the Eagle Street side. David Brown retired in 1898 and the company became a public company called Thomas Brown & Sons and was run by David Brown's nephews.

Day Room, Brown Barracks

Mess Hall, Brown Barracks

Hazel Walker told me:-

The Brown Building was on Eagle Street, where Eagle St. meets with Queen Street, (just before where Wharf St comes down). There was more in that building than the barracks and mess hall. The Squadron headquarters was there. I think it was three storeys or more. Also the date given is 1943, but they were in it in early 1942, and maybe before that, because Eddie was living there when I met him, and went out with him once a week.

Bill Bentson had earlier told me that the Brown Building was the enlisted men's barracks in Fortitude Valley, in Brisbane, Queensland. They were on duty at Hq & Hq Squadron, 5th Air Force Service Command in the Valley.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Hazel Walker for her assistance with this web page.

Can anyone please confirm the exact location for the Brown Building?