26TH BATTALION - 11TH BRIGADE
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WW2

visits since 15 July 1998

The 26th Australian Infantry Battalion of the 11th Brigade, CMF established camp at Kissing Point, Townsville on 4 Sep 1939 for 2 months continuous training.  The 26th enlisted its members from many Queensland country areas including Alpha, Aramac, Barcaldine, Blackall, Boulia, Clermont, Cloncurry, Emerald, Hughenden, Isisford, Jericho, Julia Creek, Jundah, Longreach, McKinlay,  Mt. Isa, Richmond, Muttaburra, Stonehenge, and Winton.

The 26th Battalion moved from Kissing Point to a tent city in the Townsville Showgrounds on 11 November 1939.

The 26th, 31st and 51st Militia Battalions moved to Miowera near Funnel Creek, near Bowen on 23 March 1940.

The 26th Battalion moved from Kissing Point in Townsville to Sellheim which is about 17.5 kms east of Charters Towers on 31 May 1941.  Their camp was on the banks of the Burdekin River.

On 29 March 1942, the 26th Battalion and the 19th Field Ambulance moved from Sellheim to Reid River.

On 14 May 1942, the 26th Battalion were located at Jimmy's Lookout near Garbutt airfield in Townsville.

The 26th Battalion were often sent on search parties for downed aircraft in the Cape York area. Lieutenant Eric Hammet lead the successful search party which brought back Dick Shipway who had been ferrying a P-39Q-5 Airacobra, # 42-19943, to New Guinea when it ran out of fuel due to a faulty fuel selector valve.  He parachuted from the aircraft at 5,000 feet.

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This page first produced 15 July 1998

This page last updated 06 April 2002