2nd Australian Women’s Hospital, Redbank

Redbank Railway Workshops shunting yards

Medical facility
South-East

Weedman Street, Redbank 4301

The Australian Army’s 2nd Australian Women’s Hospital was established at Redbank in early 1943. The hospital was contained within the Redbank Army Camp, on the western outskirts of Brisbane. The patients and staff at the facility were housed in tents, and endured quite rudimentary facilities.

History

The site of the 2nd Australian Women’s Hospital is now occupied by the Redbank Railway Workshops shunting area. However, during the Second World War the whole Redbank area north of the current Ipswich motorway was occupied by the 2/4th and 7th Australian General Hospitals, numerous training facilities, and both industry and supply facilities.

The Redbank Woollen Mills were producing army blankets and the Redbank Railway Station was the main alighting and departure point for most troops who were station at the camp.

In late 1943, the 2nd Australian Women’s Hospital was moved to Yeronga, taking up a position on the Brisbane River at 'Ryndarra', which was located at 23 Riverview Place and 7 and 20 Heritage Close.

Source/comments

BCC Heritage Unit
Allan S Walker. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 5 - Medical - Volume I - Clinical Problems of War (1962 reprint)

NAA Resources - NAA Series BP378-1. Barcode 3279804 - Redbank - Site Plan Amends (5 plans) [plan number 1-R-1].