The Commander's Residence, Enoggera

In 1908 the Australian Government acquired some 1200 acres of land about seven kilometres from Brisbane for the purposes of military training - we know it now as Gallipoli Barracks, but when I was younger it was referred to as the Enoggera Army Barracks.

In 1910 when the first buildings were erected on the land, this one in the photograph below was constructed for the purposes of weapons training and as a magazine for small arms ammunition. 

(Photo: © 1979 National Trust of Queensland; R Stringer)

WWI saw the building become Northern Command Training School, a tactical training centre for all ranks, and the building was used for this purpose until after the Second World War. During WWI accommodation for soldiers must have been scarce - many of the men lived like this.

(Photo: State Library of Queensland and John Oxley Library; #35264)

After WWII the building became a supply depot, and in 1960 it was converted into a residence for the senior RAEME officer in the state. It now operates as a chapel - the sign on the lawn in front says "All Saints Chapel erected 1910 as School of Musketry".

(Photo: © 2013 the foto fanatic)

I took advantage of the Army's Open Day on 14 April to visit Gollipoli Barracks to take this picture of the chapel which is in terrific condition. It was a busy scene on the grounds with people clambering over helicopters, trucks and all manner of huge guns. Although I didn't see it, I believe paratroopers dropped in as well, making the army's first open day here in a decade a great success.

It is Anzac Day on Thursday and I thank all military personnel, past and present, for their service. 

LEST WE FORGET

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