Historical information

Between 1915 and 1951, military topographical mapping in SA was conducted by Royal Australian Survey Corps (RASvy) units based outside the state. In February 1952, Army HQ Field Survey Section (Central Command Detachment) was established in Adelaide in a drill hall at Largs Bay. It was tasked with providing map coverage in the Woomera and Southern areas of the state. The section was subsequently reorganised as Central Command Field Survey Section moving firstly to Hampstead Barracks, Hampstead in 1953 and then into accommodation at Keswick Barracks in 1954. In 1957 the Section commenced mapping operations in the NT.

The Unit was relocated to the old cavalry stables in 1961 and was redesignated Central Command Survey Unit and remained there till 1973. In 1970 the Unit was redesignated 4 Fd Svy Sqn and engaged in operations conducted in PNG from 1972 to 1974 inclusive. In 1973 the Squadron moved into a brand new two-storey specially designed and purpose built building adjacent to the old building. The old building then became the Squadron Q and Map store with an interconnecting lobby to the new building. Since 1975 the Unit was involved in the 1:50,000 Mapping Programme in WA, NT, QLD, SA and conducted many other operations within Australia and overseas.

Post disbandment of the Corps the old Squadron building (cavalry stables) now houses the Army Museum of South Australia (AMOSA).
The Royal Australian Survey Corps was amalgimated into the Royal Australian Engineer Corps in July 1996. In the lead up to this amalgamation, 4 Field Survey Squadron Keswick Barracks, Adelaide, South Australia was disbanded in 1995. A closing Ceremony was held on 25 November 1995 at 4 Fd Svy Sqn Keswick Barracks attended by about 208 former members of the Unit. A photo was taken of attendees at that event on the day and a list was prepared of attendees. All attendees were sent a copy of the photograph and the list of names as a momento of the Unit and the ceremony.

Physical description

.1P A4 Print of an original photo of attendees at the 4 Fd Survey Sqn Closure Ceremony at Keswick Barracks 25 Nov 1995.
.2P A4 Print of the names of the attendees at the 4 Fd Survey Sqn Closure Ceremony at Keswick Barracks 25 Nov 1995. Approx 208 attendees.