3rd Australian Detention Barracks

Warwick Detention Camp

Type
Internment/POW facility
Region
Darling Downs

New England Highway (cnr Flitcroft Street), Warwick 4370

The site of the Australian Army’s Detention Barracks at Warwick is located on the south side of Warwick, east of the New England Highway and north of Flitcroft Street. Quinn Street and Carmody Street run across the site of the compound and exercise yard, which has been subdivided and developed since World War II.

History

During late 1943 action was taken to court martial “certain warrant-officers, NCOs, and soldiers on charges of maltreatment” of prisoners at the Warwick Detention Barracks, but the men were acquitted. In March 1944 a Medical Officer (MO) who was suspended due to allegations against him was reappointed to his part-time position as MO at Warwick. The Detention Barracks at Warwick were also reputedly the scene of violent riots during the war.

Source/comments

National Archives of Australia LS539. Warwick - Detail Survey of Detention Camp, Parish of Warwick, County of Merivale. 1943

National Archives of Australia, Folder U to Z Folio 33. Warwick Detention Camp - Site Plan [1/W/13] 1943

National Archives of Australia 369. [Personal Papers of Prime Minister Curtin] Correspondence ‘H’ [A B Harrison - J L Hewitt, includes representations from Hon E J Harrison (Deputy Leader of the Opposition), J J Healy re Warwick Detention Barracks allegations] 14 Oct 1943 - 27 Jun 1944

"Charges of Maltreatment of Soldiers", the Argus, Friday 26 November 1943, p.12

Dunn, P. Warwick Detention Barracks Warwick, Qld used by the military during WW2