Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

2 RECRUIT DEPOT

Unit Location History

Unit History

On 8 January 1940, 2 Recuit Depot was formed at RAAF Station Richmond, after merging with Personnel Training Centre. Two days later, 34 airmen arrived and five drill courses, consisting of one non-commissioned officer and 25 airmen, commenced. The unit also accepted aircrew trainees and, on 19 August 1940, 16 non-commissioned officers began a warrant officers (disciplinary) course.

Other courses conducted at the unit included a service police course, and drill instructors course. Anti-gas training was included in the recruits course schedule.

During the period 16 to 22 September 1941, the unit moved to RAAF Williamtown, then re-located again on 3 February 1942 to Bradfield Park. The total number of recruits passing through the Depot for the period 1 July 1941 to 30 June 1942 was 7220.

On 9 September 1942 the WAAAF section came under the control of 2 Recruit Depot, and WAAAF training was also the responsibility of the unit. In this month, there were 460 WAAAF officers and airwomen at the unit, in addition to 657 RAAF officers and airmen.

2 Recruit Depot moved to Tocumwal on 4 February 1943, then on to Cootamundra on 16 February 1944, where it would remain until disbandment. Air Training Corps units conducted weekend training at the Cootamundra site.

On 5 August 1944, on notification of the breakout at Cowra of several hundred Japanese prisoners, precautionary measures were taken, including the issue of live ammunition to guards. Cross-country exercises between 2 Recruit Depot Cootamundra and Wyalong were undertaken for three days from 13 August 1944 by 36 Wirraway aircraft based in Deniliquin.

2 Recruit Depot provided a flare path, obstruction lights and a rotating light at the request of 5 Service Flying Training School on 16 October, to assist two aircraft lost as a result of bad weather.

During March 1945, a physical training team from Group Headquarters gave a demonstration on the horizontal bars to a packed gymnasium. WAAAF birthday celebrations were held, with a parade and march past, followed by dinner in the Officers’ Mess, with officers and sergeants waiting on tables.

It was announced on 23 March 1945 that no more recruits were to be trained at 1 and 6 Recruit Depots, and that all recruit training for the eastern States would now be undertaken by 2 Recruit Depot.

3000 sheep arrived at the Depot on 29 July to eat the grass on the aerodrome. They were tendered all day by a shepherd, and taken off the aerodrome at night. The duty pilot had a runner, and the shepherd was subject to the duty pilot’s directions.

By the end of August, while the standard of training was being maintained, the numbers of recruits at the Depot was dwindling. The last rookie squadron finished training at the beginning of September, and on 12 September the last formal parade was held, followed by passing out parades. The following day, 2 Recruit Depot ceased to exist as a unit, all training ceased and postings commenced. By January 1946, the unit was in the process of pre-disbandment activities, and become Care and Maintenance Unit Cootamundra in March 1946. This unit completed final disbandment on 25 October 1946.

Commanding Officers

Reference:  Units of the Royal Australian Air Force – A Concise History

Volume 8 – Training Units (Pages 82-83) CoA 1995