B22 Medical Hut

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Overview

This building was the No.4 Recruit Depot (4RD) Medical Hut that was used by the RAAF during WW2 at the Busselton Aerodrome, which was located in Vasse Commonage Road which was renamed to Queen Elizabeth Drive after the royal visit in 1954.

Historical information

WAAAF staff (cooks, stewardesses, drivers etc.) were stationed at the aerodrome from 1942 until its closure at the end of 1945. Local men who joined the RAAF during WW2 may have trained there. These servicemen and women would have received their inoculations from this very hut.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-124-B22

Item type

Buildings

Themes

Social History
War and Conflict

Material

Timber

Contextual Information

All the aerodrome buildings were auctioned in 1946 and this Medical Hut was purchased by Jack and Marion Couch who lived in it whilst they built a new home on Caves Road. Once they had moved into their new home the Medical Hut was used as accommodation for visitors but over time became a storage shed and fell into disrepair.

The Couch family donated the building to the Busselton Historical Society (BHS) in 2008. Members of the BHS dismantled the building and transported it to the Old Butter Factory Precinct. A team of able BHS volunteers, led by Frank Mouritz, then started the laborious task of reconstruction and restoration. Once complete the Busselton Shire supplied concrete for the disabled footpath leading to the building and a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs was used to purchase the materials for the display cabinet. It now houses items relating to WW2 RAAF operations and wartime medical services.

The Medical Hut exhibit was officially opened to the public by BHS Patron, Wally Lord, on 25th November 2009.

Keywords

Busselton

WW2

RAAF Training

Butter Factory Precinct Building

Place made

Busselton
Western Australia
Australia

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Related Objects

Parent records