Historical information

This is a set of 16 photographs of an LHQ Cartographic Company inter-section sports meeting taken in 1943 at Bendigo’s Upper Reserve, during Army’s early years of occupation at Fortuna, Bendigo in WW2. Bendigo’s Upper Reserve was renamed the Queen Elizabeth Oval in 1954 in honour of Queen Elizabeth II. On 1 Feb 1941, a Cartographic Section was reformed as the Land Headquarters (LHQ) Cartographic Company. Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Major General Sidney Rowell instructed Its OC - Major William Sarll, in the interests of security of plant and to provide against possible damage of air attack, to investigate suitable safer inland accommodation for LHQ Cartographic Company. Major William Sarll inspected many properties before finding one that would meet the requirements of the Cartographic Company. In late 1941, he came to inspect Fortuna, a rambling old mansion dating back to the gold rush, with about fifteen acres of ground in central Bendigo. On 23 March 1942, the Commonwealth of Australia, under the provisions of the National Security Act of 1939, took possession of the house, the old battery buildings and the fifteen acres of grounds. LHQ Cartographic Company moved to Bendigo on 11 Jun 1942, from Mitchell House, Melbourne. The responsibilities of this unit were map compilation, fair drawing and lithographic reproduction, including printing the work of other Units as well as their own. A variety of sporting activities were part of the leisure hours of company members. As well as the regular Wednesday afternoon of organised sport, the printing sections in particular played vigorous informal games of volleyball in every break. Others played tennis on the dilapidated tennis courts or the Ironbark courts, while the lake was an attraction for swimmers with its diving board and raft. Highlights of the sporting year were the athletics sports meetings organised by Lieutenant Ralph Westgarth and a keen committee in 1943 and 1944. These were social as well as competitive occasions, providing great entertainment for the participants and their families, and combined with fundraising for local charities. Events ranged from traditional track and field where Phil Flood proved himself an outstanding athlete, to sack races, tunnel ball and obstacle races. Recreational and sporting activities were often hampered by shift routines, but the focus given to them in all Company publications demonstrates their important role in boosting morale. Both working and playing together meant that planned diversions were essential for fitness and relaxation. The importance of sport in building esprit de corps was understood, and in fact continued to be an important facet of regimental life long after the war was over. Refer to Item 6099.17P for photos taken in 1942, the first year of LHQ Cartographic Company’s occupation at Fortuna, Bendigo in WW2. The Survey Corps’ occupation of Fortuna during WW2 is covered in more detail with additional historic photographs, in pages 17 to 27 of Valerie Lovejoy’s book 'Mapmakers of Fortuna – A history of the Army Survey Regiment’ ISBN: 0-646-42120-4.
Other items from Rosemary (Atkinson) Bowman are: 9209.16P, 9211.6P, 9212.6P, 9213.4P and
9214.12.

Physical description

This is a set of 16 photographs of an LHQ Cartographic Company inter-section sports meeting taken in 1943 at Bendigo’s Upper Reserve, during Army’s early years of occupation at Fortuna, Bendigo in WW2. The black and white photographs are printed on photographic paper are contained in a photo album provided by the family of Rosemary (Atkinson) Bowman, who served in the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) and a former member of RA Svy. The photographs were scanned at 600 dpi and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection.
.1) - Photo, black & white, 1943. First Heat 50 Yards Skipping L to R: O. Keddie, G. John, M. Keddie, Rosemary (Atkinson) Bowman, M. Mays.
.2) - Photo, black & white, 1943. 50 Yards Skipping Final.
.3) - Photo, black & white, 1943. Sack Race - AWAS
.4) - Photo, black & white, 1943. Tunnel Ball - AWAS vs Men over Thirty.
.5) - Photo, black & white, 1943. First Heat - AWAS Nomination Race.
.6) - Photo, black & white, 1943. Final - AWAS Nomination Race.
.7) - Photo, black & white, 1943. Inter Section Flag Race.
.8) - Photo, black & white, 1943. Second Heat Mens 100 Yards – Winner H. Fallu.
.9) - Photo, black & white, 1943. 220 Yards – Winner D. Sutcliffe.
.10) - Photo, black & white, 1943. Tug of War – WO’s & SGTs Team.
.11) - Photo, black & white, 1943. Long Jump Winner – P. Flood.
.12) - Photo, black & white, 1943. High Jump Winner – P. Flood.
.13) - Photo, black & white, 1943. Referee – CAPT Harry Raisbeck.
.14) - Photo, black & white, 1943. At the mike – L to R: LT Ralph Westgarth, “PAG” and Gordon Furneaux in background.
.15) - Photo, black & white, 1943. At the mike – L to R: J. Elliott, Gordon Furneaux, Eddie Esposito, Les Anderson, “Westy”, Ralph Pickford.
.16) - Photo, black & white, 1943. Spectators – L to R: Betty Pleydell, Joan Ashton, Val Edwards, Norma Jeffrey, Rosemary (Atkinson) Bowman, Gwen John, Gwennie McGown, Joan Walters.

Inscriptions & markings

Some personnel are identified with dates in the photo album.